Spain and Belgium are scheduled to meet Friday in a World Cup quarter-final matchup that sets one of the tournament’s most consistent sides against a Belgian team riding high after a dominant 4-1 victory over the United States — a win that came on the heels of one of soccer’s most unusual political moments in recent memory.
Before Belgium’s big win, the match was overshadowed by remarkable off-field drama. U.S. forward Folarin Balogun had been handed a one-game suspension stemming from a red card, but that ban was put on hold after President Donald Trump personally reached out to FIFA President Gianni Infantino requesting the case be reconsidered.
Despite the controversy surrounding the buildup, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia’s squad delivered a convincing four-goal performance, punching their ticket to the quarterfinals in emphatic fashion.
Now they face a much sterner test.
Spain arrive at this stage of the tournament having gone 35 consecutive matches without a defeat — a remarkable stretch that has transformed coach Luis de la Fuente’s squad from promising European title-holders into a team known for dominating their opponents with calm authority.
De la Fuente took over following Spain’s unexpected penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under previous coach Luis Enrique. The current manager, who previously worked with many of these players during their youth development years, has reshaped the national team in a significant way.
The transformation has produced a national squad that plays with the kind of unity and organization more commonly associated with a club team — disciplined, well-balanced, and hard to score against.
During De la Fuente’s tenure, Spain captured the Nations League title in 2023, then claimed a fourth European Championship crown in 2024 — a long-awaited achievement for the program. They reached yet another Nations League final the following year, though they fell to Portugal on penalties after a scoreless draw.
Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup, also happened to be Spain’s most recent opponent at this World Cup. Spain edged them 1-0 thanks to a late goal that highlighted one of the team’s most valuable assets — the impact of their substitutes.
Mikel Merino came off the bench to score the match-winner, while fellow substitute Ferran Torres provided the assist just minutes after stepping onto the pitch.
Spain’s strength doesn’t rely on a single superstar carrying the load. Instead, their depth is what sets them apart. At Euro 2024, the team found the net 15 times, with 10 different players scoring — setting a tournament record for the most individual scorers on one team in a single edition of the competition.
Even young phenom Lamine Yamal, who is still working his way back to full fitness after a hamstring injury in April, has demonstrated that even brief stretches of his creativity are enough to unsettle opposing defenses and open up opportunities for his teammates.
Belgium, meanwhile, will have to find a way to slow Spain down without one of their key players. Midfielder Amadou Onana tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the win over the United States, going down in the 21st minute after an awkward landing. Despite the injury, he later appeared on crutches to join his teammates in celebrating the victory.
His absence leaves Garcia with a significant void to address going up against a Spanish side that rarely needs much of an opening to take over a game.
That said, Belgium has already proven this tournament that they can rise to the occasion when the odds aren’t in their favor.
