Spain faces Belgium in World Cup quarterfinal with a 40-year score to settle
La Roja takes on Belgium at SoFi Stadium on Friday, aiming to reach the World Cup semifinals for only the second time and erase the memory of the 1986 penalty shootout loss.
A 40-year wound
Spain and Belgium meet in a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time since Mexico 1986, when the Red Devils eliminated La Roja on penalties. Eloy Olaya, who turns 62 on matchday, missed the decisive spot-kick after Juan Señor had equalised late in normal time. That defeat started a run of quarterfinal exits that lasted until the 2010 triumph in South Africa, the only time Spain has advanced past this round in five previous attempts.
When I was younger, it did seem like there was a curse. But then you analyse it and see that sometimes the details go your way and other times they don't.
Spain has won the last five meetings between the sides, including a 2-0 victory in 2016 with a David Silva double. Belgium's last win over Spain came at the 1980 European Championship.
- Lost to Italy in a quarterfinal replay
- Lost to Belgium on penalties after a 1-1 draw
- Lost 2-1 to Italy
- Beat Paraguay 1-0, went on to win the World Cup
De la Fuente's calm
Coach Luis de la Fuente radiated confidence in his pre-match press conference, laughing off questions about past failures. "I am very sure about what I control, and what I control I have very well controlled," he said. He refused to discuss a potential semifinal against France, who had just beaten Morocco. "Until we get past Belgium, if we do, then we start talking about France. As professionals I guarantee they do not exist for us."
Spain arrives unbeaten in 36 official matches, having topped its group and then dispatched Austria 3-0 and Portugal 1-0 in the knockout rounds. Goalkeeper Unai Simón has yet to concede in the tournament.
Yamal's fitness race
Lamine Yamal joined the squad still recovering from a hamstring tear suffered on 22 April. He played a few minutes against Cape Verde on 15 June and is still regaining match sharpness. De la Fuente believes the forward's best is yet to come. "The best Lamine in attack is still to arrive," he said. "Right now he is a very dangerous player for opponents because he is highly motivated."
Belgium's golden generation
Rudi Garcia's Belgium relies on the experienced core of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois. The Red Devils have been in strong form but face a Spain side that has built its campaign on defensive solidity without sacrificing possession. The match kicks off at 21:00 Spanish peninsular time at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, broadcast on La 1, Teledeporte and DAZN.
