Spain will aim to book a blockbuster World Cup semi-final meeting with France when they face Belgium in a quarter-final clash at the iconic SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday.
The European champions enter the match as favourites after producing one of the strongest defensive performances of the tournament so far, with Spain yet to concede a goal in their opening five matches.
A victory over Belgium would send Spain to Texas next Tuesday for a highly anticipated semi-final against Kylian Mbappe’s France, a fixture many football observers are already describing as a potential final before the final.
However, Spain must first overcome a Belgium side that has grown stronger as the tournament has progressed after a difficult start.
Belgium’s impressive turnaround was highlighted by their commanding 4-1 victory over the United States in the last 16, a result that demonstrated the progress made under coach Rudi Garcia.
The Belgians struggled during the early stages of the competition, with questions raised over whether their experienced squad still had the quality to compete at the highest level.
But they responded with character, showing resilience in a dramatic last-32 victory over Senegal before producing their most convincing performance against the United States.
Spain, meanwhile, have relied on control, discipline and possession-based football rather than the attacking intensity displayed by some of the tournament’s other leading teams.
Their style has drawn comparisons with the approach that guided Spain to their first and only World Cup title in 2010, when a possession-focused philosophy helped them dominate international football.
Much of Spain’s attacking attention has focused on Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 next week and is widely regarded as one of football’s brightest young talents.
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However, the forward has not yet reached his best level at the tournament after arriving in the United States following a late-season injury.
Yamal has scored once in five matches and has struggled at times to influence games in the way supporters have become accustomed to seeing.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged that the team is still waiting to see Yamal’s most dangerous attacking form.
“We know that the best version of him, the attacking Lamine, is something that we haven’t quite seen yet in this World Cup,” De la Fuente said.
While Yamal has not been at his peak, Spain have found another attacking outlet through Mikel Oyarzabal.
The forward has scored four goals during the tournament, including two in Spain’s 3-0 victory over Austria in the last 32.
Spain’s defensive record remains their biggest strength. The team has allowed opponents only six shots on target across five matches, underlining their organisation and ability to control games.
Belgium, however, believe they have the experience and attacking quality to cause an upset.
Their squad still includes members of the country’s famous Golden Generation, including Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
For many of those players, this tournament could represent their final opportunity to win a major international trophy with Belgium.
Lukaku played a key role in Belgium’s comeback against Senegal, helping change the momentum of the match after coming off the bench.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said his team is comfortable entering the match as underdogs and believes they can challenge Spain.
“Everyone is already talking about us going home. But we think that we can do it,” Garcia said.
“We think we can pull it off, and we’re going to do everything we can to get to the semis.”
The winner of the Spain-Belgium encounter will face France, who reached the semi-final stage after defeating Morocco 2-0.
Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the tournament and 20th World Cup goal overall before Ousmane Dembele sealed victory.
The France captain was substituted late in the match after receiving treatment on his foot, but he quickly reassured supporters that the issue was not serious.
As Spain and Belgium prepare for their decisive showdown, the stakes are clear: a place in the final four and a chance to challenge one of Europe’s strongest football nations.