World Cup Quarterfinal
Unbeaten Spain Faces High-Flying Belgium in World Cup Quarterfinal Showdown
Key Points
Spain are on a 36-match unbeaten run in competitive fixtures dating back to March 2023, underscoring their historic defensive stability as they approach the quarterfinal.
Belgium will be without Amadou Onana due to a knee injury, and Charles De Ketelaere struck twice in Belgium's 4-1 win over the United States in the Round of 16, highlighting their attacking depth.
Mikel Merino's dramatic 91st-minute winner against Portugal sealed Spain's place in the quarterfinals, illustrating the narrow margins that have defined Spain's knockout run.
Mikel Oyarzabal has four goals in the tournament, placing him among the leading scorers and reinforcing his role as a key Spain threat alongside Lamine Yamal.
Lamine Yamal features in Sky Bet price boosts ahead of the match, with a bet offering to score or assist at 1/1 as part of the pre-match specials.
Spain and Belgium clash in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals on July 10 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with kickoff at 3 p.m. ET. Spain enter as firm favorites, having not conceded a single goal across five matches while outscoring opponents 9-0 in the process. The New York Times reports Spain have scored nine goals in five games, setting up a blockbuster showdown in Los Angeles.
The winner advances to face France in the semifinals. Spain carry a 5-0 all-time record against Belgium in competitive fixtures, according to Daily Mail. Belgium, meanwhile, are chasing their first World Cup semifinal appearance since 2018.
Spain's Historic Unbeaten Run Sets the Stage
Spain have not lost a competitive match since March 2023 — a run of 36 games unbeaten. Their goalkeeper, Unai Simón, has kept a clean sheet in every World Cup match so far. That defensive record puts massive pressure on Belgium to break through.
Spain's path to the quarterfinals was not without drama. Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute to beat Portugal and book Spain's spot in the last eight. Daily Mail notes Spain cruised past Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 before the narrow win over Portugal.
Belgium's Attacking Firepower Offers a Real Threat
Belgium are not here to make up the numbers. They hammered the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice. Leandro Trossard has two goals and three assists in the tournament, making him one of the most dangerous players in the draw.
Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne add further firepower. However, Belgium will be without midfielder Amadou Onana, who is out with a knee injury. Losing Onana weakens their defensive midfield, which could matter against a Spain side that controls the ball so well.
Spain's Key Scorers Against Belgium's Leaky Defense
Mikel Oyarzabal leads Spain's attack with four goals in the tournament, putting him among the top scorers at the World Cup. Lamine Yamal, Spain's 17-year-old winger, has drawn attention from bookmakers too. Daily Mail highlights Sky Bet offering a 1/1 price boost on Yamal to score or assist in the match.
Belgium have conceded goals in the knockout stage, unlike Spain. Their 4-1 win over the United States showed they can score in bunches, but their defense is not airtight. Spain will look to exploit any gaps and extend their remarkable clean-sheet streak.
How and Where to Watch the Quarterfinal
In the United States, the match airs live on FOX and Telemundo. Streaming is available through FOX's own platforms and via fubo, according to Yahoo Sports. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET on July 10, which is noon local time in Los Angeles.
International viewers have plenty of options too. Voice of Emirates notes the match is widely considered one of the strongest quarterfinal matchups of the tournament. The game takes place at SoFi Stadium, which has a capacity of roughly 70,000, ensuring a packed crowd for one of the biggest matches of the summer.
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