Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Spain are the favorites ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match between the two nations [1].
The matchup represents a critical collision between a star-powered Belgian squad and a Spanish team that has dominated the tournament's early stages. The winner of this clash will advance to the semi-finals to face France [1].
Belgium reached the last eight after defeating Senegal and the U.S. [1]. Despite their progress, the team enters the match as the underdog against a Spanish side that has displayed historic defensive stability. Spain has not conceded a single goal and remains unbeaten in 36 consecutive matches during the tournament [3].
Spain's path to the quarter-finals involved eliminating three opponents: Uruguay, Austria, and Portugal [1]. This run of form has established La Roja as a primary contender for the title, creating a significant psychological hurdle for the Belgian defense.
Courtois said that Spain's unbeaten streak and overall performance make them the team to beat. However, the Belgian camp remains confident that they can orchestrate an upset to keep their championship hopes alive.
The tournament is being hosted jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [3]. Both teams have relied heavily on their goalkeepers to anchor their respective defenses throughout the competition, making this quarter-final a pivotal test of shot-stopping ability and tactical discipline.
“Spain have not conceded a goal and are unbeaten in 36 consecutive matches”
This match serves as a litmus test for Belgium's ability to break down an elite, disciplined defense. Spain's 36-match unbeaten streak and clean sheet record suggest a level of tactical cohesion that rarely falters, meaning Belgium must find a rare vulnerability in the Spanish backline to avoid elimination.
