Spain vs Belgium: what to know before the World Cup quarter-final

# Spain vs Belgium: Your No-Stress Guide to the Quarter-final

In a nutshell

The European champions against a resurgent Belgium. Spain haven't always been dazzling but they keep winning — a 91st-minute Mikel Merino goal saw off Portugal — and their structure under Rodri has been almost unbreakable, with 18-year-old Lamine Yamal a constant threat. Belgium arrive on a high after thrashing the USA 4-1 and welcome back the world-class Kevin De Bruyne. Spain are favourites, but Belgium have the firepower to make them sweat.

Who's playing, in one line each

Spain — *La Roja*, in red: the reigning European champions and tournament favourites, playing slick, possession-based football through a golden generation led by teenager Lamine Yamal, under coach Luis de la Fuente.

Belgium — the *Red Devils* (here in gold): Europe's talented dark horses, still built around the brilliant Kevin De Bruyne and dangerous in attack, coached by Frenchman Rudi Garcia.

How they got here

Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in the last 16, needing a 91st-minute Mikel Merino winner — a reminder that even when they aren't at their best, they find a way, and their defence has resisted almost everything all tournament. Belgium produced the most emphatic result of the round, hammering the USA 4-1 in Seattle with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice. This is the quarter-final: still a straight knockout, so level after 90 minutes means extra time, and then penalties.

The probable lineups (and what they mean)

Think of a lineup as a team's *shape* — how many players defend, build, and attack.

Spain line up 4-3-3 (four defenders, three midfielders, three attackers). Rodri anchors midfield with Pedri and Dani Olmo, feeding a front three of Lamine Yamal, striker Mikel Oyarzabal and Álex Baena. Built to dominate the ball, defend as a unit, and pick teams apart through the middle and the flanks.

Belgium line up 4-2-3-1 (four defenders, two holding midfielders, three creators, one striker). Youri Tielemans and Hans Vanaken screen the defence, freeing captain Kevin De Bruyne to create in the number 10 role, with Leandro Trossard and the electric Jeremy Doku wide and in-form Charles De Ketelaere leading the line. It's built to defend, then hurt Spain through De Bruyne and pace.

*Heads-up: these are predicted XIs based on the latest reporting. Coaches often tweak them an hour before kickoff, so treat them as the most likely starting point, not gospel. The big Belgium news is Kevin De Bruyne's return after being rested against the USA — but they're weakened in midfield by Amadou Onana's tournament-ending knee injury, with Nicolas Raskin an alternative. Spain's Mikel Merino, a 91st-minute match-winner against Portugal, pushes to start.*

What to expect (even if you've never watched soccer)

Expect Spain to control the ball and target the flanks. Spain will pass their way through midfield — Rodri and Pedri are among the best in the world — and look to release Lamine Yamal one-on-one on the right, where the tactical battle with Belgium's left-back is Spain's likeliest route to a goal. When Yamal cuts inside onto his left foot, lean in.

Belgium won't try to out-pass Spain. They'll stay compact, rely on De Bruyne to unlock defences with one pass, and break at speed through Doku and Trossard, with De Ketelaere clinical up top. But without Onana, their midfield may struggle to contain Spain's control. The single question the match will answer: can Belgium's individual quality and De Bruyne's genius crack Spain's structure — or will Spain's team play and Yamal's threat simply be too much?

Players to watch

Lamine Yamal (Spain, winger, No. 19) — at 18, already one of the best players on the planet and Spain's biggest threat from the right. Fearless, unbelievably skilful and a match-winner every time he touches the ball.

Pedri (Spain, midfielder, No. 20) — the elegant Barcelona playmaker who controls the tempo and glides past pressure. He is the man who keeps Spain calm and unlocks stubborn defences.

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, attacking midfielder & captain, No. 7) — one of the finest playmakers of his generation, back in the side after a rest. At 34 he still sees and plays passes no one else can; Belgium's creative engine and their best hope of a moment of magic.

Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium, striker, No. 17) — the in-form forward who scored twice against the USA. Tall, technical and clever, he gives Belgium a genuine goal threat to lead the line.

The bottom line

Spain are favourites — the reigning European champions and the tournament's most structured team, hard to break down under Rodri and carrying a constant threat in Lamine Yamal. Belgium are full of confidence after demolishing the USA and are far stronger with De Bruyne restored, but Onana's injury has weakened their midfield against the best possession side in the competition. Expect Spain to control the ball and work the wide areas; Spain should edge a high-quality tie, but Belgium's firepower — De Bruyne, Doku, De Ketelaere — means they'll make Spain earn every moment, with extra time or penalties not out of the question.

When and where to watch

Friday, July 10, 2026 — SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA. Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET (USA) · 4:00 AM JST (Japan, Jul 11) · 4:00 AM KST (Korea, Jul 11).