Unbeaten Spain puts 609-minute shutout on line against Belgium in World Cup quarterfinal
Spain, yet to concede a goal in the tournament, faces a Belgian side that dispatched the United States 4-1. The winner meets France in the semifinals.
Road to the quarterfinals
Spain advanced with a perfect defensive record, winning Group H and then eliminating Austria and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. The winning goal against Portugal came deep into stoppage time from substitute Mikel Merino, preserving goalkeeper Unai Simón's shutout streak now at 609 minutes. Belgium's path was more turbulent: after a group-stage scare and an extra-time victory over Senegal, Rudi Garcia's side exploded for a 4-1 demolition of the United States. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku added goals, leaving the host nation humiliated and sparking a provocative celebration directed at President Donald Trump.
- Spain wins Group H without conceding a goal
- Spain beats Austria 1-0
- Spain beats Portugal 1-0 (Merino 90+ mins)
- Belgium advances from group stage
- Belgium beats Senegal after extra time
- Belgium beats USA 4-1 (De Ketelaere x2, Vanaken, Lukaku)
- Spain vs Belgium at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Defensive wall versus attacking depth
De la Fuente's Spain is the only team yet to concede in the tournament. Goalkeeper Unai Simón has not picked the ball out of his net once in five matches, anchored by a back four of Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella. Belgium's threat comes from a fluid front line: De Ketelaere leads the attack, supported by Dodi Lukebakio, Nicolas Raskin, and Leandro Trossard if Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku remain on the bench, as coach Garcia has preferred in knockout stages.
Lineups and tactical decisions
The Spanish coach is expected to stick with the same XI that beat Portugal, deploying a 4-3-3 with Mikel Oyarzabal at centre-forward flanked by Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena, and Rodri anchoring midfield alongside Pedri and Dani Olmo. Merino, the hero of the last round, will likely again start on the bench. Belgium's biggest call is in defensive midfield: Amadou Onana and Hans Vanaken are vying for the spot next to Youri Tielemans. Rudi Garcia may keep faith with the 4-2-3-1 that overwhelmed the U.S., but the presence of De Bruyne and Doku on the bench offers a potential game-changing injection. The match will be officiated by England's Michael Oliver.
Broadcast and kick-off details
The quarterfinal kicks off at 21:00 CEST (12:00 local time in Los Angeles) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Italian viewers can watch live on Rai 1 free-to-air and on DAZN with subscription, while streaming is available via RaiPlay and the DAZN app. All World Cup quarterfinals are being shown on Rai.
Historical context
Spain and Belgium have not met in a competitive fixture since a September 2016 friendly, which Spain won 2-0 away. Belgium has never beaten Spain in an official match, having also lost both legs of 2010 World Cup qualifying. For the Red Devils, tonight represents a chance to overturn a decades-old stumbling block and reach the semifinals for the first time since 2018. The reigning European champions, Spain, aim to continue their march toward a second World Cup title.
