Spain are yet to concede a goal at this World Cup
Three of Belgium’s five matches have finished level after 90 minutes
Recommended bet: Spain to win to nil @ 31/20 with LiveScore Bet
Score Prediction: Spain 2-0 Belgium
Much was expected of European champions Spain at this World Cup and they started the tournament as favourites. They were quickly knocked off that perch by France after an opening 0-0 draw with debutants Cape Verde, but the outright second-favourites remain a huge contender. Luis de la Fuente’s side haven’t quite been as unstoppable going forward as they were when winning Euro 2024, but five clean sheets in as many matches means they have enough strength in other areas to make them worthy favourites for a quarter-final against Belgium.
The Red Devils thrashed USA 4-1 to set up this California showdown. However, they are likely to find things much tougher against a resolute Spanish rearguard and it may be the end of the line for Garcia’s Belgians.
Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
Friday July 10th, 8pm BST at the SoFi Stadium, California, USA. World Cup quarter-finals.
Where to Watch
BBC One, BBC iPlayer.
Outright Odds
More market odds and predictions
Recommended bet | Stat |
|---|---|
Spain to win to nil | Spain have won their last four matches without conceding |
Lamine Yamal to assist a goal | The Spanish superstar has created five big chances in just 316 World Cup minutes |
Maxim De Cuyper to be booked | The Belgian left-back is committing a foul every 76 minutes at the tournament |
Pedro Porro over 0.5 shots on target | La Roja’s right-back has managed two shots on target in three World Cup starts |
Charles De Ketelaere over 0.5 shots on target | The Belgian forward netted twice in the last-16 win over USA |
Spain won Euro 2024 thanks to beautiful passing play and magic moments from Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and others. Any success this summer looks set to be earned in an entirely different fashion.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon is yet to be beaten at the tournament and it is no surprise why, with La Roja allowing their opponents an average of just 0.64 expected goals per 90 minutes.
Their ability to control possession through Rodri and Pedri makes them hard to cope with, while Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte have struck up a formidable partnership at centre-back.
Belgium will be confident they can find the net after scoring 12 goals in their last three games. However, Spain’s defence is far more sturdy than that of New Zealand, Senegal or the USA.
Kevin De Bruyne is not the creative force he once was and it is hard to see the Red Devils laying a glove on the European champions.
At the other end, Yamal should finally light up this tournament. Injuries have prevented the wonderkid from really getting going this summer but he played 90 minutes for the first time in Monday’s win over a talented Portugal side and a first World Cup assist may arrive in California.
He has created a big chance every 63 minutes at the tournament and will see lots of the ball. That may not only lead to an assist for the Barcelona star, who has created 24 goals in his last two La Liga seasons, but a booking for Maxim De Cuyper, too.
The Belgian left-back was cautioned in his side’s opener against Egypt and has committed five fouls in his first World Cup. Yamal is a tricky customer and should force a few more infringements out of the Brighton defender.
Yamal will be supported by Pedro Porro down the right flank and he is another player capable of keeping Belgium’s defenders busy. The Tottenham right-back scored in Spain’s last-32 victory over Austria and loves to let fly from range.
With De Bruyne underperforming - and Romelu Lukaku seen as more of a super-sub, Belgium’s hopes of stunning Spain look set to fall on the shoulders of Charles De Ketelaere.
The Atalanta forward stepped up with a brace and an assist in the 4-1 rout of the USA. He may not be quite as productive against an imperious Spain defence, but four shots on target in three games suggests he should still pose a threat.
Team news
Winger duo Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino will again be assessed after sitting out Spain’s first two knockout ties. Alex Baena will continue to start on the left wing if neither are fit enough to return.
Mikel Merino is pushing to start after his injury-time winner against Portugal, although he has a history of being an influential super-sub for Arsenal, so Dani Olmo may keep his place in midfield.
The major blot on Belgium’s win over the USA was the ACL injury suffered by Amadou Onana. Hans Vanaken replaced him in midfield after his first-half withdrawal and should keep his place after scoring the Red Devils’ third goal and setting up their fourth.
Jeremy Doku started on the bench in that last-16 victory but his dribbling ability could be a useful tool to unlock Spain’s stubborn defence, so it would be no surprise to see Garcia recall the Manchester City winger.
De Bruyne also started on the bench against the USA. Garcia had hinted he had a knock but there is a chance it was a purely tactical decision, so the legendary Belgian might be among the substitutes again.
Predicted Team Line‑Ups
Spain (4-2-3-1) Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.
Belgium (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Raskin; Doku, Tielemans, Trossard; De Ketelaere.
Stats
Spain have won nine of their last 15 games to nil
La Roja have opened the scoring in 22 of their last 24 matches
Four of Belgium’s last eight games were level after 90 minutes
Spain have won the last two head-to-heads without conceding
Belgian forward Leandro Trossard has scored two goals and provided two assists in his last three appearances
Spain’s expected-goal difference of +1.55 is the best at the tournament
Score Prediction: Spain 2-0 Belgium
The latest Spain v Belgium odds are available on LiveScore Bet
