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Spain vs Belgium Prediction: Here’s how the two quarterfinal opponents could line up for tonight’s all-important FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Los Angeles.
Lamie Yamal (left) and Romelu Lukaku (AP Photo)
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is expecting Belgium to give his team their toughest challenge yet when the two teams meet in the second quarter-final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite Spain reaching the last eight without conceding a goal, they will be wary of the threat that Belgium pose.
Spain, among the tournament favourites, advanced with a 1-0 victory over Portugal. The team has impressed with its possession-based approach, defensive solidity and attacking depth.
The winner will face France in Tuesday’s semi-final in Dallas after Les Bleus defeated Morocco 2-0 through goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
Although de la Fuente acknowledged France’s superiority in that match, he insisted Spain’s focus remained on Belgium.
“Trust me, we are only thinking about Belgium,” he said.
Spain will again look to 18-year-old Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal, who has scored four goals at the tournament. Yamal has scored once, trailing Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who lead the scoring charts with eight goals each.
Belgium are the underdogs but their coach Rudi Garcia is confident they have the quality and belief to upset the reigning Euro champions.
Belgiumwith 13 goals, are the third-highest scorers of the ongoing World Cup behind France (16) and Argentina (14).
“If you get this far, you don’t play just to go home,” Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku 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.”
What Are The Predicted Starting XIs For SPA Vs BEL?
Spain Predicted Starting XI: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Michael Oyarzabal
Belgium Predicted Starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele, Maxim de Cuyper; Hans Vanaken, Nicolas Raskin; Dodi Lukébakio, Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard; Charles de Ketelaere
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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