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Spain vs Belgium prediction. Spain, still yet to concede in six tournament matches, face a Belgium side who demolished co-hosts USA 4-1 in the Quarter-Final at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles on Friday, 11 July 2026 (21:00 SAST (Friday, 11 July 2026)). Onana is out with a knee injury; Spain seek only their second World Cup title. Our prediction: Spain to win. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Quarter-Final |
| Date & kick-off | Friday, 11 July 2026 at 21:00 SAST (Friday, 11 July 2026) |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| How they got here | Spain: beat Portugal 1-0 (Merino late winner) in R16. Belgium: beat USA 4-1 in R16. |
| Context | Spain’s first QF since winning the 2010 World Cup. Belgium’s best result since their 2018 third-place finish. Belgium have not beaten Spain since 1980. |
| Format | Single elimination. If level after 90 mins: 30 mins extra time, then penalty shoot-out. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Spain’s fortress defence vs Belgium’s resurgent attack
Spain have achieved something extraordinary: six matches into this World Cup campaign, Luis de la Fuente’s side have conceded zero goals. Their 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16 — settled by Mikel Merino’s late winner from the bench — was their most closely contested match yet, but the clean sheet was preserved. Spain have scored nine goals and conceded none across six tournament matches. This is the tournament’s most complete defensive record.
De la Fuente is expected to retain the same starting XI, with only a possible change between Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres in midfield. Merino’s winning contribution may earn him greater involvement but he is expected to again start on the bench. Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alex Baena and Pedri retain their places. Rodri anchors. Porro and Cucurella continue at full-back.
Belgium have been transformed. Their 4-1 demolition of USA was one of the tournament’s most emphatic results, driven by Charles De Ketelaere’s brace and further goals from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku from the bench. Rudi Garcia’s side have now scored 17 goals in the tournament.
However, Belgium carry a significant midfield absence. Amadou Onana suffered a knee injury against USA and has been ruled out of this match. Vanaken, who scored after coming on for Onana, is now expected to start. Kevin De Bruyne was an unused substitute against USA and may again be kept in reserve, though a quarter-final against Spain may prompt a recall. Jeremy Doku also may not start. De Ketelaere retains his place after his brace; Lukaku remains on the bench despite scoring. Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans retain their spots.
Belgium have not beaten Spain since 1980 in any competition. Spain have won all five of their most recent meetings, conceding just twice across those five games.
Availability
| Player | Status |
| Amadou Onana (Belgium) | OUT — knee injury sustained vs USA. Ruled out of this match. Vanaken starts. |
| Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) | BENCH — unused substitute vs USA. May be recalled for QF. Confirm. |
| Jeremy Doku (Belgium) | UNCERTAIN — may not start. |
Team news and expected line-ups
Spain: Same XI expected. Possible Ferran Torres for Olmo. Merino likely bench again despite winner vs Portugal. Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena in attack. Rodri anchors.
Belgium: Onana OUT — Vanaken starts after scoring vs USA. De Ketelaere starts (brace vs USA). Lukaku bench. De Bruyne status TBC.
| Spain (4-3-3) | Belgium (4-3-3) |
| Unai Simón (GK) | Courtois (GK) |
| Pedro Porro (RB) | Castagne (RB) |
| Pau Cubarsí (CB) | Mechélé (CB) |
| Aymeric Laporte (CB) | Theate (CB) |
| Marc Cucurella (LB) | De Cuyper (LB) |
| Rodri (DM) | Tielemans (CM) |
| Pedri (CM) | Vanaken (CM) |
| Ferran Torres / Olmo (CM) | Trossard (LW) |
| Lamine Yamal (RW) | De Ketelaere (AM) |
| Mikel Oyarzabal (ST) | Brahim — see note (RW) |
| Alex Baena (LW) | Lukaku bench — see note (ST) |
Key stats
- Spain: R16 result — beat Portugal 1-0 (Merino late winner). Spain’s first QF since winning the 2010 World Cup.
- Spain: 0 goals conceded in 6 tournament matches — the best defensive record in World Cup history at this stage.
- Spain: 9 goals scored, 0 conceded across all 6 matches.
- Spain have won all 5 of their last meetings with Belgium.
- Belgium last beat Spain in 1980.
- Spain form: W W W W W.
- Belgium: R16 result — beat USA 4-1. Belgium’s most dominant performance of the tournament.
- Belgium: 17 goals scored in the tournament.
- Charles De Ketelaere: scored a brace vs USA. Starts.
- Amadou Onana: OUT — knee injury vs USA. Vanaken replaces.
- Romelu Lukaku: scored from bench vs USA. Remains on bench.
- Kevin De Bruyne: unused substitute vs USA. Status for QF uncertain.
- Belgium form: W W W D D (last 5).
- H2H (last 5): Spain W5 Belgium W0. Belgium’s last win vs Spain: 1980.
Head-to-head
Spain have been utterly dominant in recent meetings with Belgium, winning all five of their last competitive and friendly encounters. Belgium’s last win against Spain came in 1980. In terms of goals, Spain have scored 11 and conceded just 2 across those five matches.
| Date | Result |
| 1 September 2016 | Belgium 0–2 Spain |
| 5 September 2009 | Spain 5–0 Belgium |
| 15 October 2008 | Belgium 1–2 Spain |
| 8 October 2005 | Belgium 0–2 Spain |
| 9 October 2004 | Spain 2–0 Belgium |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC) |
| Spain | W W W W W — 0 conceded in 6 WC matches; beat Portugal 1-0 in R16 |
| Belgium | W W W D D — thrashed USA 4-1 in R16; 17 tournament goals |
Our prediction
Spain’s defensive record is genuinely historic at this stage of a World Cup. Zero goals conceded in six matches, combined with an attacking line featuring Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena and Pedri, makes them the most complete side remaining in the tournament.
Belgium have been outstanding in attack with 17 goals, but Onana’s absence is a genuine structural problem against Spain’s midfield. De Bruyne’s uncertain status compounds this. Spain’s 5-match recent dominance over Belgium, their perfect defensive record, and the psychological weight of not having conceded all tournament make them clear analytical favourites.
Our prediction: Spain to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 2100Hrs UTC on Friday,10th July.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Spain vs Belgium event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Spain vs Belgium kick off?
Kick-off is at 21:00 SAST (Friday, 11 July 2026) on Friday, 11 July 2026, at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Has Spain conceded a goal at World Cup 2026?
No. Spain have conceded zero goals across all six of their World Cup 2026 matches, from the group stage through to the Round of 16. This is the best defensive record of any side remaining in the tournament.
Is Amadou Onana playing for Belgium?
No. Onana suffered a knee injury during Belgium’s 4-1 win over the USA in the Round of 16 and has been ruled out of this quarter-final. Hans Vanaken, who scored after replacing Onana against the USA, is expected to start in his place.
When did Belgium last beat Spain?
Belgium last beat Spain in 1980. Spain have won all five of their most recent meetings with Belgium, including a 5-0 win in 2009 and a 2-0 win in 2016.
Is this Spain’s first World Cup quarter-final since 2010?
Yes. Spain are reaching the World Cup quarter-final for the first time since they won the tournament in 2010. Their R16 exit streak across 2014, 2018 and 2022 has been ended by this run.
READ ALSO: World cup 2026 quarter finals.