Spain and Belgium Face Off in World Cup Quarterfinals Amidst Contrasting Formations

Spain and Belgium are set to clash in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles on July 10, with both teams bringing distinct strengths and recent histories into the match.

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The people were wrong about us.

Belgium's path to this stage was marked by a dramatic 4-1 victory over the United States, a result that came after a controversial sanction against a Belgian forward was lifted. Prior to that, the team struggled, including a near-loss against Senegal where they trailed 2-0 in the 86th minute before scoring three goals to win 3-2 in extra time. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, playing in his fourth World Cup, acknowledged the team faced doubts but emphasized their collective strength, drawing parallels to their 2018 quarterfinal win against Brazil.

Spain's journey has been less turbulent, though they also secured a late victory, scoring in the 90+1 minute to eliminate Portugal. The 2010 champions have impressed with their defensive solidity, remaining unbeaten and conceding no goals throughout the tournament, facing only six shots on target in five matches. This defensive prowess has extended their official unbeaten streak to 35 games, nearing Italy's record. Coach's instructions highlight a collective defensive effort, with Dani Olmo of FC Barcelona noting that "everyone attacks and defends." Spain's current unbeaten run is two shy of Italy's all-time record of 37 games set between 2007 and 2009.

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We are a team in which everyone attacks and defends. The coach says that the first to defend is the nine and the others follow.

Belgium's internal dynamics have been a talking point, with coach Rudi Garcia rotating his lineup extensively and questioning the status of star players like Kevin De Bruyne, who did not play against the United States. The team has been observed to have moments of tension, with players sometimes confronting each other on the field. Courtois has emerged as a key leader and spokesperson, navigating multiple languages and expressing confidence in the team's ability to overcome favored opponents, much like they did against Brazil in 2018.

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The situation is a bit like the quarterfinals in 2018 against Brazil, they were favorites, they had more individual quality, but we were a great team.