Overview
- The quarter-final is confirmed for Friday, July 10 with kick-off at 8pm UK time and live coverage on talkSPORT and free-to-air on BBC One and iPlayer.
- Spain have not conceded a goal so far in the tournament and reached their first World Cup quarter-final since 2010 after Mikel Merino’s match-winning substitute goal against Portugal.
- Belgium recovered from a poor start by using late goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to force extra time against Senegal and then beat the USA 4-1 to reach the last eight.
- Belgium will be without midfielder Amadou Onana after he suffered an ACL injury, a loss that weakens their central midfield balance and will force tactical adjustments.
- Spain’s starting lineup remains unsettled with doubts over a Merino start versus Dani Olmo, the unused availability of Nico Williams, and rotated right-back duties between Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente, all while the expanded 48-team format has produced surprise opponents on the path to the quarters.