One of Europe’s heavyweights will move to within two matches of World Cup glory on Friday evening when Spain and Belgium collide in Los Angeles for a place in the semi-finals.

For Spain, the opportunity to lift the trophy for the first time since that unforgettable summer in South Africa is beginning to feel increasingly real. Belgium, meanwhile, are attempting to complete one of international football’s most unexpected revivals after many believed their golden generation had already faded into history.

Awaiting the winners in the final four will be either France or Morocco, but first comes a meeting between two sides that have taken very different routes to the quarter-finals.

Spain’s defensive machine refuses to give opponents a way in

Spain have quietly become the tournament’s most complete side. Luis de la Fuente’s men topped Group H before dispatching Austria with minimal fuss and then overcoming Portugal in what many considered an early final. Mikel Merino’s late winner settled that Iberian showdown and perhaps delivered Spain’s most important victory since lifting the European Championship two years ago.

What has stood out most, however, has been Spain’s extraordinary defensive record. La Roja remain the only team yet to concede a goal at the tournament and have now gone six consecutive World Cup matches without picking the ball out of their own net, a run stretching beyond ten hours of football. Their ability to dominate possession and suffocate opponents before danger develops has become one of the defining features of De la Fuente’s reign.

The Spain manager has also developed an enviable record in knockout football, progressing from all six major tournament knockout matches he has overseen with the national team.

Selection dilemmas are minimal. Lamine Yamal remains undroppable on the right flank, while Mikel Oyarzabal continues to reward his manager’s faith with goals and assists at a remarkable rate. The main question surrounds midfield, where Fabian Ruiz, Marcos Llorente and quarter-final hero Merino are competing for places. Nico Williams remains short of full fitness and is expected to begin on the bench once again.

Belgium’s rebirth gathers momentum in North America

Few teams have exceeded expectations quite like Belgium. Their group-stage performances failed to convince many observers, but the Red Devils have steadily improved as the tournament has progressed, first edging past Senegal in dramatic fashion before producing one of the displays of the round against the United States.

Rudi Garcia’s decision to leave Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku on the bench before facing the hosts raised eyebrows before kick-off, but the gamble paid off spectacularly. Charles De Ketelaere struck twice, Hans Vanaken added another and Lukaku came off the bench to score for a third consecutive match.

The result extended Belgium’s unbeaten run to 18 matches and further strengthened the feeling that this side may have far more life left in it than many anticipated after the disappointment of Qatar four years ago. There are, however, fresh concerns in midfield. Amadou Onana’s tournament-ending ACL injury leaves Garcia needing to reshape the centre of the park, with Vanaken and Nicolas Raskin among the candidates to step in.

De Bruyne could return to the starting XI after his surprise omission against the United States, while Lukaku may once again be asked to provide impact from the bench rather than from the first whistle.

Belgium have averaged more than two and a half goals per game at the tournament, but Friday’s challenge is likely to demand patience rather than firepower.

Verdict

This quarter-final feels like a clash between contrasting strengths. Belgium have rediscovered their attacking confidence and possess enough individual quality to trouble any defence in the world. Spain, however, have spent the entire tournament proving just how difficult they are to play against.

The midfield battle promises to be decisive. If Spain can impose their usual rhythm and dominate possession, Belgium may spend long periods chasing shadows. Conversely, if De Bruyne and De Ketelaere are allowed space in transition, the Red Devils have the quality to punish even the most organised opponents. Few teams look as balanced as Spain at the moment and their defensive record is impossible to ignore.

Tip

Spain to qualify

Belgium’s resurgence has been one of the stories of the tournament, but Spain’s control, composure and defensive solidity make them slight favourites to progress. If La Roja score first, they have shown throughout the World Cup that they know exactly how to close the door behind them.