Belgium confident they can upset Spain in World Cup quarter-finals

Belgium's World Cup journey continues with a quarter-final clash against tournament favorites Spain, a match coach Rudi Garcia views as an opportunity for his underdog squad to shine. Garcia expressed confidence in Belgium's attacking capabilities, noting they are the third-highest scorers in the tournament with 13 goals, and believes they possess the belief to overcome the European champions.

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We know we are playing one of the favorites. Spain are probably the best at ball possession and they have been playing in a recognisable way for 15 or 20 years. But we have a great team. We are the second-highest scorers in the World Cup and we are facing the team with the highest expected goals. We think we can do it.

"We know we are playing one of the favorites. Spain are probably the best at ball possession and they have been playing in a recognizable way for 15 or 20 years," Garcia stated in a pre-match conference. "But we have a great team. We are the second-highest scorers in the World Cup and we are facing the team with the highest expected goals. We think we can do it."

Veteran forward Romelu Lukaku echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of a flawless performance. "If you get this far, you don’t play just to go home," the 33-year-old said. "Spain are an excellent team. They look for the third man, they have speed on the sides and they provide depth. But we are well prepared and we have assets that can make life difficult for them."

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If you get this far, you don’t play just to go home. Spain are an excellent team. They look for the third man, they have speed on the sides and they provide depth. But we are well prepared and we have assets that can make life difficult for them.

Lukaku also touched upon his role within the team, explaining that his workload management was a result of a conversation with Garcia in April. He emphasized that his focus is on team success rather than individual achievements. "It’s about the team. I try to help on the pitch and off the pitch. At this stage of my career, you have to play with your head as well."

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It’s about the team. I try to help on the pitch and off the pitch. At this stage of my career, you have to play with your head as well.

Despite facing a potentially hostile crowd after their dominant win against the United States, Garcia remained unfazed. "We just beat the US in a stadium where everyone was against us," he said. "It’s not the crowd that scores the goals. We will focus on what we can do. We have enough on our plate with Spain, who are a wonderful footballing team. Even if we are the underdogs, we will do everything we can to give them a run for their money."

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We just beat the US in a stadium where everyone was against us. It’s not the crowd that scores the goals. We will focus on what we can do. We have enough on our plate with Spain, who are a wonderful footballing team. Even if we are the underdogs, we will do everything we can to give them a run for their money.