Spain will look to book a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against France when they face Belgium in their quarter-final clash at the iconic SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Victory for the Spaniards would set up a highly anticipated last-four meeting with France in Texas next Tuesday, a fixture many observers are already describing as the “final before the final.”
However, Spain must first find a way past a rejuvenated Belgian side that has grown stronger as the tournament has progressed.
Belgium face the daunting challenge of breaking down a Spanish defence that remains unbeaten throughout the competition. While Spain have not matched France’s attacking firepower, they have relied on the possession-based style that guided them to their only World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who turns 19 next week, remains Spain’s most exciting attacking threat. However, the youngster arrived in the United States carrying a late-season injury and has struggled to make his usual impact, scoring only once in five appearances.
Widely regarded as the heir apparent to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Yamal could be poised for a defining performance.
“We know that the best version of him, the attacking Lamine, is something that we haven’t quite seen yet in this World Cup. Not to the level that we’re used to,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on Thursday.
In Yamal’s relative quietness, Mikel Oyarzabal has stepped up impressively, scoring four goals, including a brace in Spain’s commanding 3-0 victory over Austria in the Round of 32 at SoFi Stadium.
Spain’s defensive solidity has also been remarkable, conceding just six shots on target across their five matches.
Belgium, meanwhile, have undergone a dramatic transformation since a sluggish start to the tournament.
Rudi Garcia’s side produced a spirited comeback to defeat Senegal 3-2 in the Round of 32 after recovering from a two-goal deficit, with Youri Tielemans inspiring the turnaround following Romelu Lukaku’s introduction from the bench.
The Belgians then delivered one of the performances of the tournament by thrashing the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16.
That match was overshadowed by former US President Donald Trump’s intervention, which resulted in the cancellation of striker Folarin Balogun’s red card from the previous round. Belgium responded by celebrating with a playful imitation of Trump’s trademark Y.M.C.A. dance.
The tournament is expected to mark the final World Cup appearance for several members of Belgium’s celebrated “Golden Generation,” including Romelu Lukaku, former Premier League Player of the Year Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Despite being viewed as underdogs, Belgium remain confident of causing an upset.
“Everyone is already talking about us going home. But we think that we can do it.
“We think we can pull it off, and we’re going to do everything we can to get to the semis,” Garcia said on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, France reinforced their status as one of the tournament favourites with a composed 2-0 victory over Morocco in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The French limited Morocco to only a handful of opportunities as Kylian Mbappé, after seeing an early penalty saved, scored his eighth goal of the tournament and his 20th overall at the World Cup before Ousmane Dembélé sealed the victory.
Mbappé was later substituted and seen with an ice pack on his foot but quickly reassured supporters that the issue was not serious.
The France captain will now await the winner of the Spain-Belgium clash as Les Bleus prepare for what promises to be another major test in their pursuit of World Cup glory.
AFP
