Spain vs Belgium
Spain and Belgium continue their World Cup 2026 journeys on Friday when they make the trip to Los Angeles with a place in the semi-finals the prize.
The World Cup 2026 betting odds pitched Luis de la Fuente’s Spain as favourites before a ball was kicked, but La Roja has gone under the radar compared to some of their biggest rivals. France have been hugely impressive, and Argentina showed how hard they will be to beat on Tuesday, coming back from a two-goal deficit in their match with Egypt with little over 10 minutes to play, winning 3-2 without the need for extra time.
And then Thomas Tuchel’s England pose a threat for sure after they beat hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, but take a look at Spain’s results. After an opening day draw with Cape Verde, La Roja have won all four, scoring nine goals without conceding. I’d say they are going okay.
Rudi Garcia’s Belgium have been going well too. The Red Devils started slowly but have gathered momentum and have scored 12 goals in their last three games, beating the USA 4-1 to reach the quarter-finals. We won’t be short of World Cup 2026 highlights in this game, that’s for sure. So let’s run the rule over the two nations and pick a winner.
Talking Points
De La Fuente has an embarrassment of riches
I won’t deny I’m an admirer of this Spain squad, and its depth was evident in the 1-0 win over Portugal, which earned them a place in this quarter-final. Spain bossed the game but struggled to crack a resolute Selecao backline. But while Real Sociedad star Mikel Oyarzabal strived to break the deadlock and Lamine Yamal worked tirelessly down the right flank, the manager made changes, bringing on Barcelona star Ferran Torres and Arsenal’s Mikel Merino, and the two combined to win the game.
At the start of injury time, Torres slid a beautiful pass through the Portugal defence which Merino picked up and dispatched brilliantly, giving Diogo Costa no chance. Spain were not at their best, but with 15 shots to 10 and six to two on target, they had plenty of opportunity.
And there are few better midfielders, attacking and defending, than Barca’s Pedri and Manchester City’s Rodri. Also, they are yet to concede a goal in the competition.
De Ketelaere is coming of age for Belgium
The USA versus Belgium clash was mired in controversy before a ball had been kicked, with American striker Folarin Balogun allowed to play after a red card had been overturned by FIFA. But the striker couldn’t help the Stars and Stripes, who were dismantled by the Red Devils in a clinical display of attacking football.
Romelu Lukaku’s injury problems have left Belgium a little short of firepower, and Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere has come in for some criticism. But the 25-year-old had the perfect answer with a well-taken first-half double which blew the USA away.
Arsenal man Leandro Trossard has 14 goals from 56 games for the Red Devils, and he turned provider for both of De Ketelaere’s goals with crosses from the left flank. The first was tapped home by the forward, and the second headed deftly into the net. USA scored to make it 2-1 at the break, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.
After a howler in the USA defence, Hans Vanaken hit a long-range effort into the empty net, and Lukaku made it 4-1 in injury time. But it was De Ketelaere who won the Man of the Match.
History
2010 champions Spain have been at the World Cup finals 17 times, while seven-time finalists Belgium are hoping to at least match their semi-final appearance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
La Roja have won in their last six meetings with Belgium, dating back to a 1-1 draw at the 1986 World Cup. And the last encounter came in a 2016 friendly when La Roja won 2-0.
Both teams come into this match unbeaten in 2016, each winning six games and drawing three. But with four wins to three, de la Fuente’s men have been more relentless since the start of the World Cup.
Betting Tip
Spain are highly fancied at SBOTOP odds of 1.62 to win this intriguing clash, with Belgium at 5.50 and the draw at 3.75. La Roja have won two of their five games 1-0, and that is the most likely outcome of this match at a price of 6.50, though 2-1 to Spain at 7.00 looks more likely to me, maybe even 3-1 at 12.00. We’ve already seen some great matches at this tournament with the goals flowing, and I’m hoping for another great two hours of entertainment on Friday.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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