The quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup feature one of the most exciting matchups of the tournament. Spain, which has not conceded a single goal throughout the World Cup, will face a revitalized Belgium that dreams of pulling off a major upset and keeping its so-called “golden generation” alive.
The match will be played this Friday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where a spot in the semifinals against France—which has already secured its place after advancing from its bracket—will be on the line.
Spain enters as one of the heavy favorites
The team coached by Luis de la Fuente is enjoying an extraordinary run. In addition to keeping a clean sheet throughout the World Cup, La Roja has gone 36 consecutive official matches without a loss—a streak that began in March 2023 and cements its status as one of the most consistent teams in international football.
Their defensive strength has been one of the key factors in the tournament. Led by Rodri, the Spanish have controlled matches from midfield and have allowed just six shots on goal in five games—a figure that reflects their dominance over their opponents.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón has had very few difficult saves to make thanks to the team’s solid collective performance.
Belgium is confident it can pull off an upset
Although Spain is the favorite, the Belgian camp is fully confident of advancing. Head coach Rudi Garcia said his team is not intimidated by the level of play shown by the Spanish.
“Everyone is already saying we’re going home, but we believe we can do it. We believe we can pull off an upset, and we’ll do everything we can to reach the semifinals.”
The Red Devils are riding high on the back of a resounding 4-1 victory over the United States, one of the tournament’s host nations—a result that extended their streak to 18 consecutive games without a loss across all competitions.
Romelu Lukaku recalls the feat against Brazil
Forward Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer, compared this match to the memorable victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
For the striker, the team will have to play a near-perfect game if it wants to eliminate the European champions.
“Tomorrow we have to play a perfect game if we want to move on. Spain is an excellent team, but we have certain advantages that can make things difficult for them. We love a challenge.”
Belgium boasts an offense capable of putting any defense in a bind, featuring players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, and Lukaku himself.
Spain Seeks Greater Cutting Edge
Despite its extraordinary defensive performance, one of the aspects most often highlighted about Spain is its lack of finishing in front of the opponent’s goal.
Seven of their nine goals came in rout victories over Saudi Arabia and Austria, while in the Round of 16, they needed a goal from Mikel Merino in stoppage time to narrowly defeat Portugal.
However, Luis de la Fuente believes the team is creating enough chances.
“We’re the team with the most shots on goal in the tournament. With a little more efficiency, we could also be the team with the most goals.”
Forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored twice against Austria, said the team’s greatest strength is its unity.
“We’ve managed to build a very solid core of players. No matter who plays, the team steps up, and that’s essential.”
The team’s cohesion has allowed Spain to maintain a consistent level of performance throughout the competition.
One of the focal points will once again be Lamine Yamal. The young Barcelona star has scored just one goal in the tournament, though his influence on the game has been constant since he regained his starting spot after recovering from a muscle injury.
For his teammate Gavi, the winger’s impact goes far beyond the statistics.
“He may not have scored many goals, but he’s the heart and soul of our attack. I hope he scores in the semifinals or the final so everyone understands what he means to us.”
Luis de la Fuente also praised the defensive sacrifice shown by the youngster during the match against Portugal, noting that his best offensive form is yet to come.
Belgium Faces a Major Problem
It’s not all good news for the Red Devils.
Midfielder Amadou Onana has been ruled out due to a knee injury sustained during the tournament, forcing Rudi Garcia to adjust his lineup to maintain defensive balance.
One possibility is the return of Kevin De Bruyne to the starting lineup after he was partially rested in the match against the United States to ensure he would be in peak physical condition for this stage of the tournament.
A match that promises excitement
With Spain undefeated, having not conceded a single goal, and backed by a historic 36-game unbeaten streak, facing a Belgium team that regained confidence after its dominant performance against the United States and is looking to give its golden generation an unforgettable achievement, the clash at SoFi Stadium has all the ingredients to become one of the most exciting matches of the 2026 World Cup.
Only one team will continue on the path to the title and secure a spot to face France in a semifinal that promises to be a top-tier matchup.
