Spain just defeated Portugal 1-0 to extend their 5-match clean sheet streak at the World Cup, setting a new record for the tournament. Meanwhile, Belgium continued to impress with a 4-1 victory over co-hosts USA in the round of 16.
Regarding head-to-head history, the two teams are no strangers to each other at the World Cup. Before the competition in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, the two teams had two encounters at the biggest football festival on the planet and each side won one victory.
The first meeting took place in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals in Mexico. Belgium opened the scoring thanks to Jan Ceulemans, before Juan Senor equalized for Spain in the final minutes. The two teams drew 1-1 after 120 minutes and Belgium won 5-4 on penalties to win a ticket to the semi-finals.
4 years later, at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Spain demanded revenge. Michel opened the score from the penalty spot, Patrick Vervoort equalized for Belgium, but Alberto Gorriz scored the decisive goal to help La Roja win 2-1 in the group stage.
Thus, after two encounters at the World Cup, Spain and Belgium are equal in terms of achievements with each team winning one victory.
The rematch in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup will be an opportunity for one of the two teams to create an advantage in their head-to-head history in the most prestigious playground on the planet.
The match between Spain and Belgium takes place at 2:00 AM on July 11 (Vietnam time).
