Spain vs Belgium
Friday July 10 kick-off 8pm – Los Angeles, USA
Spain
Route to the quarter-finals: Spain began with an embarrassing 0-0 draw against Cape Verde but recovered to hammer Saudi Arabia and beat Uruguay to top Group H. They delivered a statement victory in the round of 32, impressively thrashing Austria 3-0 with their best performance before beating Portugal thanks to Mikel Merino’s late winner.
Best player so far: Mikel Oyarzabal has scored four times but it’s Pau Cubarsi’s impact at centre-back that has helped keep Spain’s defence watertight. The 19-year-old Barcelona defender has been their most consistent performer and has developed a strong partnership alongside Aymeric Laporte.
Gem to watch: Lamine Yamal made a slow start to the World Cup as he rediscovered his sharpness after returning from a thigh injury. He’s scored just once, although he completed his first 90 minutes against Portugal and there is much more to come from the 18-year-old.
Strength: Spain are known for their stylish football and attacking flair, but it’s their defence that has impressed most. Luis de la Fuente’s side are yet to concede a goal, have by far the lowest xG against of just 1.49 and have only faced five shots on target.
Weakness: Cape Verde showed the blueprint of how to frustrate Spain, who have at times struggled in attack. They have underperformed their xG and have a conversion rate that is lower than that of all the other quarter-finalists.
Belgium
Route to the quarter-finals: Belgium struggled initially in Group G, drawing their first two matches against Egypt and Iran before hammering New Zealand 5-1 to finish top. They then looked set to be heading out when two goals down to Senegal with four minutes left, only to score twice and then net a 125th-minute winner in extra time. A 4-1 win over the USA in the previous round was much more straightforward.
Best player so far: Romelu Lukaku has scored three times and Youri Tielemans has played a major part in keeping Belgium in the tournament, but it’s Leandro Trossard who has been his country’s standout performer. The Arsenal winger has been a constant threat, scoring two goals and providing two assists, while creating the most chances of any player at the tournament.
Gem to watch: Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere significantly strengthened his case for a starting spot with two goals and an assist against the USA. The 6ft 4in 25-year-old, who is left-footed, offers a different profile to Lukaku and could worry Spain at set pieces and crosses.
Strength: Belgium have nailed their press. They’ve had 15 shots, almost double than the next best, when they’ve won a high turnover and their four goals from them are the most of any side. But will they be brave enough to continue with their aggressive approach against Spain’s possession-first style?
Weakness: It would have been unthinkable a year ago that Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku would be substituted in the 56th minute of a World Cup game when two goals down to Senegal. De Bruyne was an unused substitute against the USA, while Doku has yet to register a goal involvement. Two of Belgium’s main men haven’t turned up yet.
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