Spain face Belgium for World Cup semifinal place in Los Angeles
Spain bring a 35-match unbeaten run into Friday’s quarterfinal, while Belgium look to extend their uneven World Cup revival.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Spain and Belgium meet Friday in Los Angeles with a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals at stake. The winner will play France on Tuesday in Dallas after France beat Morocco 2-0, according to Al Jazeera.
The quarterfinal at Los Angeles Stadium kicks off at noon local time, 19:00 GMT. Spain enter as the stronger statistical favorite after a tournament built on control and defense, while Belgium arrive after their best two performances of the competition.
How they got here
Spain won Group H with seven points, beating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay and drawing with Cape Verde, Al Jazeera reported. Luis de la Fuente’s side then beat Austria 3-0 in the round of 32 before eliminating Portugal 1-0 in the last 16 with a late goal.
That win over Portugal also gave Spain a World Cup record: six straight clean sheets, according to Al Jazeera. Spain, the 2010 champion and reigning European champion, are unbeaten in 35 matches.
Belgium finished first in Group G with five points after defeating New Zealand and drawing with Iran and Egypt. They beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the round of 32, then defeated cohost United States 4-1 in the last 16.
Al Jazeera reported that Belgium’s win over the U.S. followed a dispute over Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension. Belgium now have a chance to reach the semifinals for the first time since their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
Players to watch
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois told reporters Wednesday that his team believes an upset is possible and said confidence has grown after recent results. Al Jazeera said Belgium’s remaining senior core, including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, are likely playing their final World Cup together.
Lukaku leads Belgium at this tournament with three goals. Leandro Trossard has two goals and two assists, while Charles De Ketelaere and Youri Tielemans have scored twice each, according to Al Jazeera.
For Spain, Mikel Oyarzabal is the team’s leading scorer with four goals. Lamine Yamal, 18, has one goal in five matches in his first World Cup after entering the tournament following a hamstring injury.
Spain midfielder Dani Olmo said Yamal still gives the team value by drawing multiple defenders and creating space for teammates, according to Al Jazeera. Olmo also said Yamal can help Spain even when he is not scoring or assisting.
Prediction and team news
Opta’s model gives Spain a 59.3% chance of winning in regulation time. Belgium’s regulation win probability is 18.3%, while the chance of extra time is 22.4%.
Belgium will be without midfielder Amadou Onana, who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the previous match, Al Jazeera reported. Spain have reported no injuries.
Predicted lineups
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.
Belgium (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Raskin, Vanaken; Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Trossard.
Broadcast information
Spain: LA1, Teledeporte, RTVE Play and DAZN Mundial at 9 p.m. CEST.
Belgium: VRT Max, Tipik, Auvio, Sportz and VRT at 9 p.m. CEST.
United Kingdom: STV, STV Player, ITVX and ITV1 at 8 p.m. BST.
United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network and Peacock at noon PDT and 3 p.m. EDT.
Spain and Belgium have split their two previous World Cup meetings, Al Jazeera reported. Belgium won on penalties in the 1986 quarterfinals, while Spain won 2-1 in the group stage in 1990.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.