Spain faces Belgium in World Cup quarterfinal clash
The World Cup 2026 quarterfinals continue today with a significant matchup between Spain and Belgium. This game, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, will determine which team advances to face France in the semifinals. Spain enters the match as a strong favorite, having maintained an unbeaten record in the current tournament. Their last defeat was on June 8, 2025, against Portugal in the Nations League final, and prior to that, they hadn’t lost since March 2024 in a friendly match against Colombia. Furthermore, La Roja has not conceded a single goal in their five matches at this World Cup, boasting what is statistically considered the best defense in the competition.
Spain’s roster features a wealth of talent, including 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who is regarded by some as a top attacker globally. While Yamal’s performance in the tournament has not yet reached the heights of some other superstars, his potential remains significant. The team’s midfield is anchored by players such as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Pedri, and Dani Olmo, contributing to Spain’s dominance in possession statistics throughout the tournament. Their defense has largely remained unchallenged, reinforcing their status as pre-tournament favorites.
Despite their strong form, Spain experienced a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in their opening game, a result that seemed less surprising as Cape Verde demonstrated strong performances later in the tournament. Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, adopted a philosophical approach in his pre-match conference, referencing Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
On the other side, Belgium, often referred to as the Red Devils, are embracing their underdog status. Their coach, Rudi Garcia, expressed confidence in his team’s attacking capabilities and belief in their ability to challenge the European champions. Belgium’s approach combines analytics and strategic squad management. While Spain is known for its consistent ball possession style of play over many years, Garcia believes Belgium possesses specific strengths that can create difficulties for their opponents.
Belgium’s historical “Golden Generation” had a notable run to the World Cup semifinals in 2018 but has largely fallen short of expectations for a major trophy. Many players from that era have since retired. However, some experienced members, such as striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, are still active. Lukaku, though not expected to start, has proven to be an impactful substitute, while De Bruyne is known for his ability to create decisive moments in games.
The Belgian squad also includes younger talents like Jérémy Doku, Leandro Trossard, and Dodi Lukébakio, who possess the speed and skill to potentially disrupt Spain’s strong defense. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is considered a formidable last line of defense, having a history of strong performances in high-stakes matches.
Spain’s striker, Mikel Oyarzabal, has scored four goals in the tournament, contributing significantly to his team’s offensive efforts. Belgium’s Lukaku acknowledged the challenge, stating that his team needs to play a “perfect game” to advance against an “excellent team” like Spain. He added that Belgium’s assets could make the match difficult for Spain, and they welcome the challenge.
The match will be held at Los Angeles Stadium and will be broadcast on Telemundo and Peacock for Spanish-language coverage, and on Fox and Fox One for English-language coverage. Spain’s journey in the tournament included a 3-0 victory over Austria in the round of 32, and a hard-fought 90th-minute winner against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the round of 16. Belgium also had a challenging start with a series of draws but gained significant momentum after a 4-1 win against the USA in the round of 16.
The winner of this quarterfinal will proceed to the semifinals to play France on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
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Source: cnn.com
