CORNERFLICK
Spain and Belgium meet in a high-stakes World Cup quarter-final at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday night.
Spain arrive with five straight clean sheets and no goals conceded in the tournament so far, while Belgium have scored 13 times at an average of 2.6 per game. The contrast sets up a meeting between one of the competition’s tightest defences and one of its most productive attacks.
Spain’s back line, fronted by Unai Simón and supported by Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí and Pedro Porro, has been central to their run to the last eight. Belgium will look to Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard and Kevin De Bruyne to find a way through.
Michael Oliver of England will referee the match. Spain are unbeaten in seven games officiated by Oliver, with four wins and three draws, while Belgium have won both of their previous matches with him in charge.
A cautious first half is expected before both sides push harder after the break, with Spain aiming to control space and Belgium looking to use quick transitions.