Spain take on Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Luis de la Fuente’s side have looked formidable with the tightest defence of the tournament, and the European champions eliminated Portugal in the last round thanks to Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time goal.
Belgium are also in fine form, thanks to thrashing co-hosts United States in Seattle, fuelled by the motivation to respond to the Folarin Balogun controversy after President Donald Trump’s intervention.
The Red Devils shuffled the pack against the USMNT, with depth from the bench including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku, meaning Rudi Garcia has had a series of big calls to make. However, he was also forced into a late change, after announcing his starting XI, due to an injury to Youri Tielemans.
Follow all the action from Spain v Belgium in our live blog below:
Read MoreForget Lamine Yamal and Pedri – why impenetrable Spain are built on a rock-solid defence
World Cup 2026: Semi-final fixtures, quarter-final results and full tournament bracket
Spain v Belgium
- Spain take on Belgium in World Cup quarter-final, with France next for winners
- 13' PENALTY? NO! Baena wants Ngoy handball after blocked shot, but referee says no
- European champions are yet to concede at tournament and in impressive form
- Belgium brushed aside USA to swell confidence – and taunted Donald Trump
- Belgian captain Tielemans forced out of starting XI at last moment due to injury
- Spain XI: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
- Belgium XI: Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Vanaken; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere
Belgium growing in confidence
20:19 , Jack Tanner18 mins: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
Belgium aren’t just going to sit back and try their luck on their counter. They’re growing into this one, with a cross deep into the box almost finding De Cuyper. Instead the referee deems his effort as a foul.
FLASHPOINT: Did Ngoy handball?
20:17 , Jack Tanner
First Belgian counter of the evening
20:16 , Jack Tanner15 mins: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
Jeremy Doku fancies his chances against Pedro Porro down this left-flank, the right-side of Spain’s defence. This counter advances to the point of Belgium’s first shot - De Ketelaere’s effort is blocked.
Half-hearted appeals for Spain penalty
20:14 , Jack Tanner13 mins: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
Baena wants a penalty after his effort is blocked by a Belgian hand/wrist at close range. It’s exactly because of the proximity that Michael Oliver waves away the appeal, and VAR agrees.
Spain snuffing out Belgian moves
20:13 , Jack Tanner12 mins: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
We haven’t seen Belgium spring a proper foray into the Spain half since the opening minute. Laporte has just slid into deny De Ketelaere from a run towards goal.
Trossard lucky to escape booking for tug of Yamal
20:11 , Jack Tanner9 mins: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
Yamal has just been hauled down by Trossard’s tug down Spain’s left-hand flank. Referee Michael Oliver gives the free kick but no card.
The set-piece is fired low into the box, but semi-cleared only to Rodri. His drive inside the box is blocked by Ngoy.
Spain probing
20:05 , Jack Tanner5 mins: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
Spain are on top five minutes in, but they’re yet to record a shot. A probing pass for Yamal is cut out before he can ask questions inside the box.
Spain and Belgium feeling each other out
20:03 , Jack Tanner3 mins: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
Spain have their first foray forward, looking dangerous with Cucurella down the left. The offside flag prevents the ball from being recycled into the box.
Kick-off in the second quarter final
20:02 , Jack TannerKick-off: Spain 0 - 0 Belgium
We’re underway in LA! Spain in Roja, meaning Belgium can’t also be in red - they’re in an all-white change strip.
Moment's silence before kick-off
20:00 , Jack TannerThere will be a moment’s silence ahead of kick-off for the 12 lives lost to wild fires in southern Spain.
Tielemans out
19:57 , Kieran Jackson in Los AngelesBit of a shock that seeing Kevin De Bruyne lead Belgium out - heartbreak for captain Youri Tielemans, injured in the warm-up.
And a big blow for the Belgians.
Anthems wrapped up
19:56 , Jack TannerThe Belgium anthem quickly follows, with the Belgians lined up in Tintin-blue tracksuit jackets.
Time for the anthems
19:55 , Jack TannerThe (officially) lyric-less Spanish national anthem is played first.
Michael Buffer announces the teams
19:52 , Kieran Jackson in Los AngelesThe famous boxing announcer screams out Spain and Belgium on the 360 screen hovering above the pitch.
And finishes with his trademark “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!”
Late change for Belgium
19:46 , Jack TannerYouri Tielemans has dropped out of the Belgium side minutes before kick-off. The Aston Villa centre midfielder was pictured in the warm-up, but he will be replaced by Hans Vanaken.
Humid and hot in LA
19:36 , Kieran Jackson in Los AngelesA view from the gods in the Los Angeles Stadium as the players conduct their warm-up.
Spain are overwhelming favourites for this one, but Belgium are coming off the back of their best performance of the tournament so far.
Should be a fun one this!
Can Spain better their own record?
19:30 , Jack TannerSpain have reached the quarter-finals without conceding, recording six straight clean sheets.
En route to their maiden World Cup triumph in 2010, the Spaniards conceded just twice - both goals scored against Spain during the group stage.
That remains the record for lowest amount of goals conceded by a World Cup champion.
Top goalscorer latest
19:25 , Jack TannerOn the topic of goals, let’s run through the race for the golden boot.
Despite missing a penalty, Kylian Mbappe leapfrogged Lionel Messi with his strike on the hour mark against Morocco last night.
The Frenchman and the Argentine are tied on eight goals apiece, with Mbappe top thanks to three assists compared to Messi’s one.
Erling Haaland is just behind with seven goals, one ahead of upcoming opponent Harry Kane on six.
Ousmane Dembele also scored in France’s win over Morocco to take his tally to five. Oyarzabal and Jude Bellingham are the only players still in the competition with four goals scored.
1. Kylian Mbappe (France), 8 goals, (3 assists)
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 8 goals (1 assist)
3. Erling Haaland (Norway), 7 goals (0 assists)
4. Harry Kane (England), 6 goals (1 assist)
5. Ousmane Dembele (France), 5 goals (2 assists)
= 6. Vinicius Jr (Brazil), 4 goals (1 assist)
= 6. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), 4 goals (1 assist)
= 6. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), 4 goals (1 assist)
= 6. Julian Quinones (Mexico), 4 goals (1 assist)
= 6 Jude Bellingham (England, 4 goals (1 assist)
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Messi, Mbappe, Haaland and Kane in thrilling race
Oyarzabal to stick to goalscoring schedule?
19:20 , Jack TannerMikel Oyarzabal entered the World Cup with 13 goal contributions in nine internationals, and the Real Sociedad star has continued that vein of form for Spain during the tournament.
Interestingly, despite scoring four goals and assisting another in his five games at the tournament, Oyarzabal is forming a pattern - blank, brace, blank, brace.
He blanked in Spain’s 1-0 win over Portugal last time out - is he due another two goals against Belgium tonight?
Spain relatively settled with the one change
19:11 , Jack TannerSpain have made one change from their 1-0 win over Portugal last time out, swapping Barcelona’s Pedri for Fabian Ruiz of Paris Saint Germain.
World Cup farewell for the Los Angeles Stadium
19:10 , Jack TannerThis is the last time we will see the ‘Los Angeles Stadium’ - the venue formerly known as SoFi Stadium - at this World Cup.
Spain and Belgium have already played one game apiece in Los Angeles. 10-man Belgium managed a 0-0 draw with Iran during the group stage, whilst Spain romped to a 3-0 win over Austria in the round of 16.
In seven fixtures at the Los Angeles Stadium so far this World Cup, we have seen 23 goals. Let’s hope for a few more tonight.
De la Fuente labels Belgium clash Spain's 'hardest' of the World Cup so far
19:00 , Jack TannerSpain boss Luis de la Fuente is under no illusions that Belgium will be a big test for his side.
He told press on Thursday afternoon at the Los Angeles Stadium: "Tomorrow's game will be the hardest that we've faced to this point.
"Belgium is a very powerful team. These are players who are used to winning. It's going to be a challenging match."
Belgium restore stars to line-up
18:59 , Jack TannerBelgium’s talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne starts from the off, whilst Jeremy Doku comes back to the starting XI as well.
There’s still no room for Romelu Lukaku, who is still gaining match fitness. His displays off the bench for Belgium have been more than impactful, and the Red Devils will hope for more the same tonight.
Interestingly, the injured Amadou Onana is replaced not by Hans Vanaken, but instead by Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin.
Line ups
18:49 , Jack TannerBelgium XI: Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere.
Subs: Lammens, Penders, Theate, Meunier, De Winter, Seys, Witsel, Saelemaekers, Vanaken, Lukaku, Moreira, Fernandez-Pardo, Lukebakio.
Line-ups
18:48 , Jack TannerSpain XI: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.
Subs: Raya, J Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, E Garcia, Merino, Pedri, Gavi, Zubimendi, Torres, Pino, Iglesias, Munoz, Williams.
Team news on the way...
18:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleRighty ho. Team news should be with us shortly. Will Belgium bring back a couple of their big-hitters? And are there any surprises in a settled Spain team?
This is the third meeting between the two countries at the World Cup. As previously mentioned, Belgium were winners in the first match-up, advancing on penalties 5-4 winners after a 1-1 draw in normal time and extra time in 1986.
The following World Cup, Belgium and Spain were drawn in the same group at Italia ‘90.
Both managed to qualify from the group stage, with Spain in first and Belgium second. The Spanish enacted revenge on their Belgian counterparts for defeat in ‘86 with a 2-1 win at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Overall, the two countries have played 22 times, with Spain victorious on 12 occasions. Currently the Spaniards are on an eight-game unbeaten streak against the Belgians, with their last meeting, a friendly, ending in a 2-0 win for Spain in 2016.
La Roja beat the Belgians twice during qualifying for the 2010 edition of the tournament - obviously going on to win the lot in South Africa.
World Cup 2026 statistics: What the numbers reveal about the quarter-finalists
18:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWant more stats like the one referenced by Rudi Garcia? Lawrence Ostlere has dug deep into all of the facts and figures to look at some of the trends and tactics of this World Cup.
World Cup 2026 statistics: What the numbers reveal about the quarter-finalists
18:25 , Jack Tanner
It is not the first time these two countries have met in a World Cup quarter-final. 40 years ago Spain and Belgium crossed paths at Mexico ‘86, playing out a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Pueblo.
Jan Ceulemans opened the scores for the Belgians in the first half, and it looked like that would be enough to secure safe passage through to the semi finals.
However, Spain’s Juan Señor equalised in the 85th minute, sending the game to extra time, before penalties were required.
Belgium were perfect from the spot, advancing 5-4 winners after the shootout for their first appearance in the semi-finals - where they lost 2-0 to eventual champions Argentina.
Rudi Garcia confident Belgium can challenge Spain
18:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium boss Rudi Garcia is confident that his side can get at Spain’s impressive defence in Los Angeles today.
"We know we are playing one of`the favourites. Spain are probably the best at ball possession and they have been playing in a recognisable way for 15 or 20 years," Garcia, who comes from Spanish heritage, said. "But we have a great team. We are the second-highest scorers in the World Cup and we are facing the team with the highest expected goals. We think we can do it."
18:15 , Jack Tanner 
Spain have been a dominant footballing force in the 21st century - just the three European Championships and one World Cup in their trophy cabinet - but it is Belgium who have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup most recently.
Belgian’s golden generation finally clicked at the 2018 edition of the tournament, losing to eventual winners France 1-0 courtesy of a Samuel Umtiti goal in the 51st minute.
The Red Devils went on to finish third, beating England 3-0 in the third-place play-off.
Until this year’s World Cup, Spain had failed to win a knockout game in the tournament since their 2010 triumph. Knocked out in the group stage of their attempted defence in 2014, Spain exited the last two World Cups in the Round of 16 after penalty shootout defeats to Russia and Morocco, respectively.
World Cup 2026: Semi-final fixtures, quarter-final results and full tournament bracket
18:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere’s a reminder of all of the knockout results so far and what the (rapidly filling out) bracket looks like. A semi-final in Dallas awaits Spain or Belgium.
World Cup 2026: Semi-final fixtures, quarter-final results and full bracket
Mbappe lays down latest challenge to Messi as France continue march towards history
18:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleFrance await the winners of this fascinating encounter – and look pretty ominous, in truth. A third successive World Cup final is within reach for Kylian Mbappe and co.
Mbappe lays down latest challenge to Messi as France continue march towards history
Aston Villa and Belgium hit by major World Cup blow as Amadou Onana knee injury revealed
17:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere will be at least one Belgium change – poor Amadou Onana faces a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury.
Aston Villa and Belgium hit by World Cup blow as Amadou Onana suffers knee injury
Will Kevin De Bruyne start?
17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleKevin De Bruyne was left on the bench for Belgium’s win over the United States, but Rudi Garcia has a big call to make on the veteran midfielder for this game. Will he return to the starting side?
Belgium mock Donald Trump after knocking USA out of World Cup: ‘Overturn this’
17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlso taking great relish in Belgium’s victory were...well, Belgium. On the pitch, in the dressing room and on social media, the Trump taunts came rather readily.
Belgium mock Trump after knocking USA out of World Cup: ‘Overturn this’
That’s bad karma for you, Mr President, as United States crash out of World Cup to defiant Belgium
17:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleKieran Jackson, meanwhile, seemed to very much enjoy the tournament co-hosts getting a spot of comeuppance as Belgium beat the USA after a build-up overshadowed by political meddling.
That’s bad karma for you, Mr President, as United States crash out of World Cup
How Spain got here
17:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt wasn’t necessarily riveting stuff against Portugal, but Spain seldom looked under particular threat in their round of 16 encounter with their Iberian rivals. Richard Jolly was there:
Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest World Cup failure leaves one predictable regret
Forget Lamine Yamal and Pedri – why impenetrable Spain are built on a rock-solid defence
17:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe temptation with Spain is to focus on their array of attacking and midfield talent – but it is on a rock-solid defence that this campaign has been founded. Kieran Jackson takes an in-depth look at how Luis de la Fuente has built an impenetrable side.
Forget Yamal and Pedri – why impenetrable Spain are built on a rock-solid defence
Quarter-final picture heading into Spain v Belgium
16:45 , Jack Tanner
Spain and Belgium already know their prize for victory this evening - a semi-final tie with France.
The French booked their place in the final four - for the third tournament in a row - with a 2-0 win over Morocco.
Kylian Mbappe missed a first half penalty but redeemed himself in second period, his 60th minute goal quickly followed by Ousmane Dembele six minutes later.
On the other side of the bracket, Norway v England and Argentina v Switzerland make up the other two quarter-final ties. Of course, the Three Lions face Norway 10pm BST tomorrow evening, with Argentina v Switzerland staged in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Spain vs Belgium LIVE
12:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleSpain and Belgium battle for a place in the World Cup semi-finals in a mouthwatering meeting of European sides in the last eight of the tournament. France await the winner of this clash in Los Angeles – will the continental champions continue their pursuit of global glory? Or have a Belgian golden generation got one last charge left in them?
Kick off at SoFi Stadium is at 8pm BST.
