Spain 2 vs 1 Belgium summary: goals, highlights, updates, stats and score & | FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal

It's France and Spain in the semis. We still have two more games to decided the other semifinal. Tomorrow we will have England and Norway before Argentina play Switzerland. 

The star of the show stopped off for a little post game chat after winning a second straight game for Spain. 

Forget about Lamine Yamal! His brother is the new star of the World Cup. The little one who has stole the hearts of millions has his viral moment in the quarterfinals against Belgium. 

Spain are moving on to the semifinal after another tense match that went down to the wire. The golden age of Belgium comes to an end as both De Bruyne and Courtois went off with injuries. It's a bitter moment for a team that knows they are entering a new era. Meanwhile Spain are full of youth, full of class and full of hope for a second star. 

Belgium had to push up in the final minutes of the match and there was a late scare for the Spaniards after Unai Simon came way off his line and Charles De Ketelaere took a touch around the keeper but Aymeric Laporte was there for the clearance.

This was the moment that Courtois said good bye to the World Cup dream. Having to come off in the quarterfinal because of injury is one of the worst things that can happen to a player, and you could see how distraught he was to miss the final minutes. This would prove to be a massive moment in the match,. 

This might have been the play in which Courtois was injured. He went down right before the hydration break, tried to come back out after the break but lasted just a minute before having to be subbed off. 

Thibaut Courtois is one of the best keepers in the world, if not the best, and on Friday he reminded us of that. He came up with some big saves in the first 66 minutes of the match but his day and World Cup would come to a bitter end. 

Lamine Yamal was named the MVP of the match for his play on the right wing. He wasn't able to score a goal, and still hasn't had the impact that he had in the Euros two years ago, but the good news is he has time to make his mark on this World Cup. 

In the 41st minute, Belgium didn't just equalize. They scored the first goal on Spain in this tournament. Unai Simon and the Spain defense had a clean sheet streak that dated back to the group stages of the Qatar World Cup. Charles De Ketelaere leveled the score with a header right before the halftime break. Spain were better in the first half, but that goal could have changed things coming out for the second half. 

The Spanish capital was going wild after the goal from Fabian. From LA to Madrid, La Roja was in full force on Friday. 

Fabian with an early gift to his baby that is on the way. Why does it always seem like players who are about to be fathers are scoring goals?

It's pretty typical for a quarterfinal match up, but both of these teams came out a bit tentative. It took until the 30 minute mark for the game to open up. A wonderful link up on the right side from Yamal and Pedro Porro. The right back sent a ball into Dani Olmo who took the shot on. Courtois got a touch to it but Fabian was there for the rebound. 

Spain's manager Luis de la Fuente made a change to the XI sitting Pedri for Fabian, and the PSG midfielder paid him back with the game's first goal. 

Spain are moving on to the semifinal of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after their late winner against Belgium! It was game winner from Mikel Merino that made the difference in the final few minutes but this quarterfinal was even for all 90 minutes. 

Lamine Yamal didn't have his breakout performance in this World Cup on Friday afternoon but it wasn't for a lack of trying. 

IT'S ALL OVER!!!

SPAIN IS HEADING TO THE SEMIFINALS OF THE WORLD CUP!!! THEY WILL TAKE ON FRANCE IN THE NEXT ROUND AFTER BEATING BELGIUM 2-1!!!

Castagne again with a ball into the middle and Unai came off his line to claim it. There was a collision with Lukaku and a whistle went for Spain after the foul on Belgium. 

Castagne into the box for Lukaku but that cleared away by Laporte. 

Witsel trips up Rodri and is shown a yellow card. More importantly for Spain, a chance to take a breather and take some time off the clock. 

Yellow card on Laporte and a dangerous free kick from the middle of the park. Free kick to the top of the box was cleared away and Spain had a counter that was broken up by Belgium's last man back. 

Unai Simon was way off his line trying to intercept that ball from the left side for De Ketelaere. He touched it around the keeper and put in a cross with an empty net but Laporte got a touch to it and Simon was able to wrap it up. 

Time ticking down way to slow for Spain, but way too quick for Belgium. 

SEVEN MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!!!

You just have to wonder if Courtois would have done better with that shot had he been on the pitch. It wasn't the toughest of shots to deal with. Easy for me to say, I guess. 

It wasn't a great shot from Cubarsi from distance but that's why you take them!!! Lammens fumbled it with Courtois on the bench injured and Merino crashed the rebound and slotted it home!!!

Merino in for Olmo for the final 4 minutes and whatever is left. 

De Bruyne with a football tackle in the midfield and he is shown a yellow card. That will be his last input in the match. His is subbed out for Saelemaekers.

Belgium with a little spell of possession and the Spanish fans start to jeer and whistle the Belgian side. 

Rodri from the midfield with a perfect pass over the top for Yamal and he took the first touch down beautifully but couldn't get the second touch right. 

Pedri over the top for Williams and that ball bounces and rolls out of play for a goal kick. Belgium are defending with everything they have, but haven't done a whole lot on the other end of the pitch. 

Nico's first touch is towards the end line and he sends his cross harmlessly over the endline. 

It's Oyarzabal coming out for Williams. He will play out on the left while Ferran moves to the middle. 

Nico Williams warming up and looks like he is about to come in to add an extra dimension for Spain. 

You hate to see anyone come off the pitch with an injury, especially someone who could be playing in their last World Cup. Courtois comes off the pitch after the hydration break with tears in his eyes. 

Olmo received the ball in between the midfield and back line and looked for Oyarzabal but that pass was a bit behind the Spain forward. 

Yamal on the right side and he got the cross all wrong as it goes straight out over the end line. 

COURTOIS IS HEADING OFF THE PITCH IN TEARS AS LAMMENS COMES ON FOR THE FINAL 18 MINUTES. 

Rodri over the top for Cucurella who nods it back for Ferran who headed in high of the frame. Offside flag went up. 

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE FINAL STRETCH OF THIS QUARTERFINAL. 

This could have been the play that Courtois got injured. He had to come off his line and punch this away. We will see if he can return after the break. 

Courtois has been the busier of the two keepers in this second half. Yamal was sent in and had a chance but the Big Belgian was there. 

WE ARE HEADING TO THE HYDRATION BREAK FROM LOS ANGELES... 23 MORE MINUTES IN THE SECOND QUARTERFINAL!!!

Courtois goes down off the ball and the medical staff is coming on to have a chat with the Belgium No. 1. 

407-198. Those are the passes that Spain has made in contrast to Belgium. Spain have had more possession but it's all square through 65 minutes. 

Really good defending from Seys who shielded a touch from Yamal out for a goal kick. He's got fresh legs and will be paying plenty of attention to Yamal. 

One two with Yamal and Ferran and Yamal got the return pass stuck under his feet before finding the space for a shot. 

Yamal with a tight pass in the area to Oyarzabal making a run to the front post and he turns on the shot forcing a save from Courtois. 

Raskin puts a ball in for Lukaku in a rare chance to push forward with numbers. He was looking for Lukaku but Cubarsi and Rodri were there. 

Yamal making something out of nothing on the right side. He takes a quick touch into the middle and wraps his foot around the shot that was palmed away by Courtois. 

Belgium going to their bench now and it's Lukaku, Witsel  and Seys for Trossard, De Cuyper and Vanaken.

Yamal takes down Doku who was trying to start a break and he spares himself of a yellow card. 

Yamal with a ball into the box looking for Oyzarzabal but Courtois was off his line to punch that away before it reached the No. 21 in red and blue. 

Porro had a chance to put in a cross on the right side but the final product was lacking and flies out of play for a goal kick. Oyarzabal hasn't been served up a whole lot in this first 56 minutes. 

Ferran and Pedri in for Baena and Fabian. First subs for either team. 

Doku with a one two with De Bruyne and his ball into the area was blocked away by Cubarsi but fell to De Cuyper who took the shot on but hit the outside of the net. 

Cucurella with a dissecting pass through the left side for Oyarzabal but he couldn't handle the head on a pass that came on with a bit too much pace. 

Short corner finds its way to Olmo at the top of the area but he is shot goes sailing high wide and handsome. 

Cucurella fighting through a couple challenges and the loose ball fell for Yamal who took a shot that was blocked off for a corner kick. 

Spain looking threatening but Belgium have come out of the tbreak with an awfully tight back line. 

Whistle goes for a foul on Baena from Raskin. 

Doku fights for the corner kick on the near side and Belgium will try and create their first chance of the second half from the set piece. 

Cubarsi with a ball in behind for Yamal who got a touch that was blocked off by Courtois, but the flag went up for an offside that was decided by a matter of inches. 

Cucurella goes shoulder to shoulder with Trossard on a ball sent in behind the back line and a whistle blow for a foul on the long hair Spainard. 

Spain looked like the better side in the first half, but the late goal right before half from Belgium might have just shifted the sands heading into the second 45. 

WE ARE BACK IN LOS ANGELES FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!!!

Yamal got more and more involved as the first half went on, but he is still looking for his memorable performance, his highlight play his golazo that will mark his name down in this World Cup. 

De Ketelaere breaks the clean sheet streak for Spain that dated back to the last World Cup in Qatar. It was a clean header that leveled the game and sets up for a delicious second 45. 

Dani Olmo had an unwanted meeting with Michael Oliver in the middle of the pitch in what would have been a bookable offense if it came from someone in a Belgium jersey. 

Spain took the lead at the 30 minute mark after Olmo's shot was saved by Courtois but Fabian was there with the rebound. De la Fuente swapped Pedri for Fabian in the XI and Fabian paid him back with a goal. 

Not a whole happened in the first half hour of the match. Spain looked the better side but this was about all they could come up with in the early part of the match. 

WE ARE HEADING TO THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM LOS ANGELES!

Oyarzabal and Olmo with a heavy collision in the middle of the pitch. Both players are back on their feet but that took the air out of the stadium for the moment. 

It was going to take something special to break down this back line, and it was a bit of brilliance from De Ketelaere who has three goal in the last two games. 

FIVE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME FROM LA!!

Yamal slips it inside for Baena who has a shot with the left foot but that attempt went sailing wide of the target. 

How do Spain react after seeing the first goal of their tournament hit the back of their net?

Cubarsi showed a yellow card after tackling De Bruyne in the middle of the park. 

The clean sheet streak is over after Belgium score on their first real push up the pitch! Great ball in from the right side and the big man in the middle got there first and slipped it home with the head for the equalizer!!

Fabian finds Yamal on the right side and he skips by Doku and opens up to try a shot on the near post but that shot just hit the net on the wrong side of the post. 

Nothing happening for Belgium since the goal. Spain have complete control of this match dating back before the opener from Fabian. 

Wonderful link up play between Olmo and Oyarzabal and the Basque forward tried to lay it off for Olmo at the top of the area with a back heel but it was sniffed out by the Belgium back line. 

Baena with a run into the box and he turns on the ball and has a shot that was blocked off but the flag went up after he used his arm to take that lob into the area down. 

Olmo is body checked by Oliver in the attacking third and the Spanish fans here let the English ref have it after he stopped an attack from La Roja. 

Yamal curved it around the wall but that was a shot down the middle that was easy to take for Courtois. 

Yamal taken down by Doku at the top of the area. Dangerous spot for Belgium as Yamal licks his lips with this free kick. 

A brilliant build up from the right side leads to a rebound goal for Fabian. It was the first real chance for either team, and Spain take advantage. 

Fabian got a piece of Castagne and he comes up with a bloody nose as the medics come on to clean him off. 

What a build up from the right side. Yamal sends Porro to the end line, a one touch ball into the middle for Olmo who took it off the rip. Courtois got a touch to it but Fabian was there waiting to tuck the rebound in!!!

Once Spain do get back behind the defense of Belgium they still have maybe the best keeper in the world in goal. Scoring against this Belgium team is going to be a tough ask. 

Yamal with the outside of the foot on the right side for Baena at the front post but that pass was a bit too tight to Courtois, 

WE ARE BACK IN ACTION AFTER A QUICK BREAK. 

Lamine Yamal with the first real chance of the game, but he couldn't find the target from outside the area. 

I wish I could post a highlight or two, but really nothing has been happening close to goal. 

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK FROM LA!!!

Olmo releases Yamal to the end line and he touched it around De Cuyper with a nut meg but had his run checked by the defender. No call came although the Spaniard was looking and hoping for a whistle. 

Lamine Yamal with the first chance of the match. A bit of pressure in the attacking third opened up a lane for Yamal to have a chance from outside the box but his curling effort couldn't bend enough to find the frame. 

No shots on goal for either team 18 minutes into this match. It's to be expected, I suppose, with two teams who are trying to feel their way into this match. 

Ball into the middle from Castagne from the far side and De Ketelaere  was whistled for a foul for barging into the back of Cubarsi. 

Baena found Olm in the middle of the area, and he flicked it up and had to try to back heel it to himself after leaving it behind. That attack died quickly but it would have been brilliant from Olma if anything could make something from nothing. 

Doku with a fantastic run from the back and he carries it all the way into the middle of the park before laying it off for De Ketelaere who had his shot from the left side blocked off by Cucurella. 

De Cuyper makes a charge up the left side and has a chance to send the ball into the mix but that cross was a bit to close to Simon who gathered it easily. 

Cubarsi with a dink over the top for Baena who took the shot on which was blocked off by Ngoy with an outstretched hand but that was much too quick of an action for the ref to call a penalty. 

At this time last game, Belgium was already up a goal to the good over the United States. They haven't had any chances in the attacking third 11 mintues into this game. 

Baena drives it low and towards the front post to Cucurella who couldn't get a touch and that ball was half cleared, but Fabian collected it on the right side and played a ball into Rodri who hit it on the first touch before seeing his shot blocked off by Mechele. 

Yamal all the way on the left side of the pitch and he is dragged down by Trossard which gives Spain a free kick from the left edge of the area. 

Beligum are on the back foot to start this match. Spain haven't done much with possession but they are keeping the ball well and keeping Belgium out of the attacking third. 

Remember Spain come into this quarterfinal on a record setting streak of World Cup matches without conceding a goal. If and when Belgium score, how will they be able to reposnd?

Spain are looking to get Yamal involved early on but Belgium are paying plenty of attention to the Barcelona teenage sensation. 

Well done from Doku in the back, escaping pressure all by himself. He is going to be a threat down the left side for Beglium after barely playing against the US. 

Fantastic dummy from Olmo in the middle of the park to open up space and he found Baena to the left side but that pass was a bit behind the winger. Olmo is going to have a big impact for Spain tonight. 

Baena on the left side and he played the overlapping run to Cucurella whose cross was blocked off. The flag was up for offside anyway. 

This will be the toughest test for both of these teams. Not much between them. Expect an even match that goes down to the wire, with plenty of possession for each team. 

THE QUARTERFINAL BETWEEN SPAIN AND BELGIUM IS UNDERWAY FROM LOS ANGELES!!!

A moment of silence for the victims of the devastating fires in Almeria, Spain. 

Lamine Yamal knows all eyes will be on him today from LA. He is the super star on this Spain team. He's done it at the Euros. Can he do it on the biggest stage in the World? This is maybe the biggest game that the youngster has played in his life. What awaits us from the City of Angels?

Almost showtime!!!

The players have taken the pitch and the anthems are playing. We are just a few minutes from kickoff here from LA!!

World Cup 2026

Real Madrid is chasing a World Cup record

REAL MADRID AT WORLD CUP

Real Madrid had a rough season. They didn't win any titles for the second year running, but since their stars showed up at the World Cup, they have done nothing but contribute. Now Los Blancos players are looking to make history in what has been a fantastic outing for their players.

France vs. Morocco

France is on to the next round of the tournament just as everyone expected. They took on Morocco in the first quarterfinal match up and beat the only African side remaining in the tournament. After a goalless first 45, it was Kylian Mbappe putting the French up a goal to the good. Six minutes later Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead and France eased past Morocco who fells short of a second straight trip to the semifinals after their historic run in Qatar.

Last minute swap

We have a last minute change to the XI of Belgium. Tielemans is going to start on the bench with Vanaken set to start. Vanaken had an assist and a goal against the US while Tielemans had two goals in the comeback win over Senegal. 

World Cup 2026

The France of Deschamps and Mbappé has joined a historic World Cup club

Who's up next

Whoever wins this game is on to the semis where the most dangerous team in the World Cup will be waiting. France struggled against Paraguay, but aside from that it has been an easy road to the semis for them. This is their third straight trip to the semifinals since 2018. They been to the last two finals, winning one of those, and losing the last one to Argentina. They have a chance to get back to the final if they beat the winner of this game on Tuesday from Dallas. It’s a historic run from France, and only two other teams have achieved this feat. Our Jose Felix Diaz has more.

World Cup 2026

Not singing! Why does Spain’s national anthem have no lyrics? Are there other countries that only have music?

No Spanish sing along

If you are looking to sing along with the Spaniards during their national anthem, don't bother. They have no lyrics in their anthem. Our Calum Roche can fill you in on why that is. 

Quarterfinal bracket

This is the second of four quarterfinal matches. One spot in the semis is already booked. There will be another spot filled after today, and tomorrow the final two matches of the quarters will be played. England and Norway will battled for a spot in the semis while Argentina continue their back to back quest against Switzerland.

World Cup 2026

Who is Michael Oliver, the referee for Spain vs Belgium in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal matchup?

There have been some ref/VAR issues as of late in this tournament. This is the low down on the man in the middle for today's game. Let's hope that it's the first and only time we have to mention the referee for the next couple of hours. 

Classic look for Spain

Spain is going with their classic red kits with the blue sleeves. They have one of the nicest alternate kits of the tournaments but for the biggest game of the tournament so far, La Roja is going back to basics.

Spain injury report

There was one big doubt coming into this match against Belgium and it was centered around winger, Nico Williams. He came into this World Cup with a hamstring injury and made three appearances off the bench, but was re-injured in the game against Uruguay. It looked like his World Cup may have been over but he is reportedly ready to go today if de la Fuente needs him.

Belgium injury report

Belgium have a couple of names on their injury report, and one of them is a big loss. Aston Villa's Amadou Onana only started one match in the World Cup before getting the nod against the US, but had to be subbed off in the 21st minute after suffering a ruptured ACL. His teammates honored him by holding up his jersey after Lukaku scored the fourth goal against the US. Zeno de Bast is also out for a sixth straight match. He was on the bench for the US match but didn’t play a minute. He’ll be back on the bench today, but is unlikely to see much action.

World Cup 2026

What is Spain’s record against Belgium? All-time head-to-head record ahead of 2026 World Cup quarterfinals

World Cup record between ESP and BEL

This is just the third time these two giants for Europe have played in the World Cup. Jennifer Bubel has all the information about the preview matches that these two teams have met in this competition. 

Where are we?

We are in Los Angeles for this massive quarterfinal match between Belgium and Spain. This stadium is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. It is one of the newest stadiums in the country, and the most modern stadium in this World Cup. The foreign fans have been in amazement with the stadiums in this tournament and the LA Stadium has been a fan favorite over the course of the last month. This is the final match in LA as Dallas, Kansas City, Miami, Atlanta and New York/New Jersey will host the remaining matches of the tournament.

Golden Boot race

Having a look at the Golden Boot race we don't see anyone from this match up in the list of top goal scorers. Lukaku leads Belgium with 3 goals while Oyarzabal leads Spain with 4 goals. That’s a far cry behind Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi who both have eight goals. Behind them is Erling Haaland with seven and then Harry Kane with six. Ousmane Dembele has five goals to round out the top five.

Quite a shake up for the Belgium side that played against the US. De Bruyne and Doku are in the XI after starting last game on the bench. Lukaku will come off the bench if he is needed as he continues to find his fitness after an injury plagued season. 

World Cup odds

Spain came into the tournament as one of the favorites, if not the favorite along with France. Since the start of the group stages, France has looked a cut above the rest and that’s why they are paying 5/2 and the best bet in the eyes of the oddsmakers. Spain is paying 11/2 the same as England and Argentina. Norway are 17/1 while Belgium are the biggest long shot at 34/1 according to Bet365.com.

Maybe a bit of a shock for this Spain side. Pedri starts the match on the bench and Fabian takes his place. Other than that it's par for the course for Luis de la Fuente. 

FIFA Rankings

Taking a look at the ever changing FIFA Rankings, we see France has taken over the top spot from Argentina who have been bumped down to second after two tough games against Cabo Verde and Egypt. Spain are in third with England sitting right behind them in fourth. Brazil, Morocco and Portugal are fifth, sixth and seventh, but they are knocked out of the tournament and Belgium are sitting in eighth ahead of Netherlands and Mexico who round out the top 10.

Stoppage time winners

This World Cup has been one of the intense, exciting, dramatic tournaments ever, and if you need any proof of that just look at all of the stoppage time goals that have been scored in this edition of the World Cup. Belgium had two late goals against Senegal, and Spain won their round of 16 game against Portugal in stoppage time. Don't be surprised if this game is won in added time from the city that lives off of drama.

World Cup history: Spain

Spain has one World Cup star above the badge on their jersey. That came in 2010 when they beat the Netherlands in the final. It took an extra time goal from Andres Iniesta, but since the World Cup title Spain haven't been a force in the World Cup. They have only been to the semis one other time aside in 2010 and that was all the way back in 1950. They are a win away from their third trip to the semis and three wins away from their second star.

World Cup history: Belgium

Belgium have been around since the very first World Cup back in 1930. While we consider the last three World Cups as the golden generation of this country, they have been to the semifinals before this era. That came back in 1986 when they went all the way to the final four, beating the Soviet Union and Spain before losing to Argentina in the semis. They got back to the Semis in the 2018 World Cup in Russia beating Japan and Brazil in the knockout stages but losing to the eventual champions, France 1-0 in the semis. They are one win away from the semis, but this will be their toughest match of the tournament.

The “G”old generation?

This is the last call for Belgium's so called golden generation. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thiabaut Courtois are still holding on to dream that was laid out eight years ago when Belgium had a stacked team with players like Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Axel Witsel and Jan Vertonghen. Those players came and went without ever fulfilling the expectations of a team built to win a World Cup but before the torch is passed from the old guard, De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois have won last chance. They are three wins away, but they will need help from the new generation.

The other Yamal

While it hasn't exactly been Lamine Yamal’s tournament, another one of the Yamals has stolen the spotlight during this World Cup. His brother Kenye is an icon and one of the favorite fans of this tournament. The “Little Lamine” has gained his own bit of stardom over the last few weeks, and the world is falling in love with the youngster and the relationship he has with his world class brother. Kenye will be in the stands cheering on Lamine and Spain, and might just be the good luck charm for this side looking for it’s second star.

World Cup record

It should come as no surprise that the clean sheet streak is a World Cup record. Unai Simon's spell of World Cup matches without conceding a goal stretches back to Qatar 2022. The last goal he allowed came in the final group stage match against Japan when they scored the 2-1 in the 51st minutes and ended up stunning Spain. Simon held Morocco to a goalless 0-0 draw that Spain eventually lost in a shootout to go crashing out of the tournament four years ago. Simon brought that streak into this tournament and now has gone a total of 609 minutes without conceding a goal in the World Cup, shattering the previous record of 519 set by Italy’s Walter Zenga in 1990.

Spain's clean sheets

When you look at the result list for Spain in this World Cup you begin to understand just how hard it is to beat this team. Defensively they have been perfect heading into the quarterfinals of this tournament. Five matches and zero goals conceded. Give credit to Unai Simon who has been fantastic in goal for Spain, but the back four have been impenetrable. Just how long can this clean sheet streak last for Spain?

Star watch: Belgium

He may not start many matches, but he has been the biggest difference maker on this Belgium side. Romelu Lukaku has played at the biggest clubs and scored some massive goals over the course of his career. The Napoli man may be a bit past his prime at 33 years old, but he still has a knack for scoring goals. He has scored goals in each of the last three matches, and was responsible for an own goal scored by Egypt in the opener. He is Mr. Reliable for Belgium despite carrying a hip injury into this tournament.

Star watch: Spain

After a sensational Euros as a 16 year old, there was plenty expected from Lamine Yamal coming into this World Cup. It hasn't been that same sort of explosive performance for the Spanish youngster, and the injury he carried into the tournament could be a big reason why. He came off the bench in the first two matches of the group stages, couldn’t finish the 90 against Uruguay and while he did start in that game and the last two knockout matches, his impact has been minimal. He’s got just one goal and no assists, but he is getting fitter and fitter as the tournament goes on. This could be his day to shine, and remind everyone that he is one of the best in the world.

How they got here: Belgium

Belgium had to sweat it out in the group stages after draws to Egypt and Iran. In the final match of group stages, Rudi Garcia's team knew they had to beat New Zealand to guarantee themselves a spot in the knockout rounds. They would deliver with a 5-1 win and meet Senegal in the round of 32. Again they left it late, down by two goals to Senegal in the 85th minute but they scored two goals before the final whistle to push the match to extra time and a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time would see them through to the round of 16. They beat USA easily and now take on one of the top teams in the tournament.

How they got here: Spain

It wasn't the prettiest of starts to the tournament for this Spain side. Little did we know that Cabo Verde would end up being the surprise of the tournament, but their draw against Spain sparked some doubts about just how good this team really is. A 4-0 win over Saudi and a 1-0 win over Uruguay sealed the top spot in the group for Spain and that set them up with a match against Austria in the round of 32. They won that game with ease, breezing past the Austrians 3-0 but found it much tougher last round against Portugal. Their defense has been the foundation throughout the tournament, not allowing a single goal in the first five matches of the tournament.

Last game: Belgium

It was maybe the most talked about match of the tournament so far. A red card that was “suspended” in some suspicious circumstances made for a fiery lead up to the round of 16 match between Belgium and the USMNT. Belgium unleashed their frustration on the co-hosts, putting four past the US, and rolling into the quarters. It started in the 9th minute when Charles De Ketelaere scored the opener from a pass by Nicolas Raskin. The US leveled things with a Malik Tillman free kick, but De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead back with a header over Tim Ream to secure his first half brace. The third goal came after a blunder in the back by keeper Matt Freese as Hans Vanaken tucked home a shot with on an empty net. Romelu Lukaku polished off the victory with a stoppage time goal to sweeten the deal for the Belgium and send the US crashing out of the tournament.

Belgium starting XI

Rudi Garcia has his XI ready for the quarterfinal against Spain. It's Courtois in goal with Castagne, Ngou, Mechele and DeCuyper in the back. De Bruyne is back in the XI with Tielemans and Raskins in the middle. Doku and Trossard will be out wide and De Ketelaere at the point of attack.

Spain starting XI

Luis de la Fuente has his XI for this quarterfinal match against Belgium and it looks like this: Unai Simon in goal with Pedro Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte and Cucurella in the back. In the middle it's Fabian, Rodrigo and Dani Olmo with Baena and Lamine Yamal out wide and Oyarzabal up top.

Last game: Spain

It was another European showdown in the round of 16 as Spain took on their Iberian peninsula neighbors, Portugal. The match was tight, it was tense and it was decided in the first minute of stoppage time. Two substitutes made by coach Luis de la Fuente combined for the lone goal that pushed Spain through to the quarters when Ferran Torres found Mikel Merino with a slicing ball through the area and the Arsenal man slotted it home past Diogo Costa for the stoppage time winner.

We are live from Los Angeles

Hello everyone and welcome to Inglewood where the Spanish national team come into the quarterfinals still considered one of the favorites but they narrowly escaped the round of 16 and realize the road only gets tougher from here until the finish line. Belgium overcame an overturned red card for USA's Folarin Balogun and used it to fuel the fire in their round of 16 match. Spain are young, they ready to win now, and they showed that in the Euros two years ago. Belgium are aging, and know this could be their last chance for a golden generations that is losing it’s shine.

Spain vs. Belgium

We have one semifinalist already qualified for the next round of the World Cup and today a second side will book their ticket to the final four of the tournament. Spain and Belgium are set for a showdown of European soccer superpowers and AS English will be with you all day providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight's game from Los Angeles.