Shane Cahill inquired, “Hola. Any word on Williams, is he fit?” Unfortunately, it seems the answer is no. Williams played only a half during the group stage and has not appeared from the bench in the knockout rounds. In his absence, Álex Baena has stepped up, showcasing impressive control in Spain’s left flank. Perhaps they are saving Williams for a potential clash with France.
Pau Cubarsí has also made a significant impact alongside Aymeric Laporte.
“Cubarsí in particular has been superb. For all the talk of Lamine Yamal, the kid who eclipses all else, it is the other teenager at the opposite end that has most impressed. Born in tiny Estanyol, a village with a population of around 200, the son of a carpenter who ran a family business going back four generations, Cubarsí is the second youngest man ever to make his debut for Spain. Lamine Yamal is the first. The day Cubarsí made his Barcelona debut, he and Lamine Yamal were younger than Robert Lewandowski put together.
There was something about him that was different from the start. “When I watch him, my heart rate doesn’t change,” Barcelona’s then-coach Xavi Hernández said. De la Fuente had given him his Spain debut and although he decided not to take him to the Euros, judging it a little soon, that calmness is clear here. “It doesn’t seem like he’s 19, the way he takes on responsibility is enviable,” Simón says. Cubarsí has completed 96% of his 449 passes, and not just sideways: 34 of his 71 against Portugal went into the opposition’s half. There were 19 recoveries, 23 defensive actions completed. Only Paolo Maldini reached as many clean sheets so fast.
Spain has made history by reaching this stage of the World Cup without conceding a single goal.
As noted by Sid Lowe from Los Angeles, Unai Simón has faced strong competition to secure the No. 1 position.
“Sod it, I’ll say it: we have the best goalkeepers at the World Cup,” Simón insisted a few days ago.
For Luis de la Fuente, however, it was never a matter of debate, despite the persistent noise. He had coached Simón throughout the youth teams, leading them to victories in the under-19 and under-21 Euros, Olympic silver, the Nations League, and Euro 2024. They were practically family, and now Spain feels like Spain again, with Simón making history. No other team has ever reached the sixth match of a men’s World Cup without conceding.
Spain has made one adjustment to the lineup that triumphed over Portugal, with Fabián Ruiz stepping in for Pedri in midfield. Belgium sees the return of Kevin De Bruyne to the starting eleven after he was rested during the win against the USA. He takes the place of Amadou Onana, who suffered a ruptured ACL in that match. Additionally, Jérémy Doku also returns to the starting lineup, replacing Dodi Lukébakio.
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal. Subs: Raya, J García, Pubill, Grimaldo, E García, Llorente, Merino, Torres, Gavi, Pino, Williams, Zubimendi, Muñoz, Iglesias, Pedri.
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Raskin; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere. Subs: Lammens, Penders, Theate, Witsel, Lukaku, Lukébakio, Meunier, De Winter, Seys, Moreira, Vanaken, Saelemaekers, Fernandez-Pardo.
The match will be officiated by Michael Oliver from England.
A glimpse into the mailbag reveals some pre-match thoughts.
“I hope the Belgians have been practicing their Trumpian tiny-fist dance since that USA game. It was the only disappointing aspect of an otherwise convincing performance. As for the Spanish, a red muleta celebration would be a fun provocation to the bull currently threatening to end all trade with them. He still might find himself handing them a big chuck of gold in nine days time”
wrote Justin Kavanagh.
“Good morning it’s 1:25 and I’m desperately trying to stay awake for the match. Shades of Qatar where the old sleep schedule went down the pan. I for one am hoping for a Belgium win. I have not enjoyed any of the Spain matches (apart from Cape Verde, snigger). I’m Costa Rican so I have no skin in the game as they say but I do have Norway in the sweepstakes. Thanks as always for the the great commentary and for so far keeping me awake!”
commented Alexandra Fullerton.
Recently, I managed to keep my nerves in check while doing minute-by-minute updates for the Colombia 0-0 draw with Switzerland (3-4 on penalties).
Today, Spain and Belgium meet for the first time in a decade, which is remarkable considering the introduction of the Nations League. Their last encounter occurred in September 2016 during a friendly, where Julen Lopetegui and Roberto Martínez were in charge of their respective teams for the first time. Belgium was met with boos in Brussels as David Silva’s two goals led Spain to a 2-0 victory.
The last major tournament meeting between these two sides was at Italia 90, where Alberto Górriz scored the decisive goal in Verona, advancing Spain as group winners. Their only previous World Cup clash occurred four years prior, in which Belgium triumphed on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Puebla.
Belgium’s preparations have faced challenges, notably a dispute with Sporting regarding Zeno Debast’s fitness. Despite being on the bench for the first time this World Cup against the USA after an injury setback, his club insists he is unfit to play. The Belgian FA has stated, “this assessment differs from that of the Red Devils’ medical staff” It appears Belgium has acquiesced to Sporting’s demands, and Debast will not feature in this quarter-final.
Looking ahead, ominous prospects loom for the winner, as a formidable France awaits, having convincingly defeated a lackluster Morocco in Boston yesterday.
Jonathan Wilson was there, stating,
“The better the quality of the opponent, the more clinical you have to be,”
Raphaël Jucobin also shared insights from the pre-match press conference, wherein Deschamps acknowledged his team’s need for improvement in front of goal.
“The better the quality of the opponent, the more clinical you have to be,” he emphasized. As Les Bleus prepare to depart the east coast for the first time since their arrival in the US for their semi-final in Dallas, there is a sense that they will be leaving the comfort zone they have established both on and off the pitch.
Welcome to the second quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup. After overcoming the USA in the Round of 16, Belgium’s aging golden generation now faces the seemingly unstoppable force of Spain, who have yet to concede a goal in five matches and have not progressed this far in the World Cup since their triumph in 2010.
While Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku bring undeniable World Cup experience – having defeated Brazil in their last quarter-final – Lamine Yamal’s true impact on this stage is yet to be seen. The Barcelona winger, who turns 19 on Monday, has only one goal and no assists to his name in this tournament, making him one of the few world-class talents yet to shine. Will today be the day he makes his mark?
The victor of this match will face France in the semi-finals next Tuesday in Dallas.
The kick-off in Los Angeles is set for midday local time, 8 PM BST, and 5 AM AEST. Feel free to reach out via email. Let’s go!
