Spain vs Belgium Prediction

World Cup World Cup · Quarter-finals
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54%
27%
18%
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Spain vs Belgium prediction: Sportiko gives Spain a 54% chance of winning, Belgium 18% and the draw 27%. Last updated 23 Jul 2026, 11:21.

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Match Report

Spain edged past Belgium 2–1 in a hard-fought World Cup quarter-final, with Mikel Merino's late header proving the decisive moment. Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead on 30 minutes, but Belgium hit back swiftly through Charles De Ketelaere just before half-time to level proceedings at 1–1. Despite controlling just 32% of possession and generating a modest 0.37 expected goals against Belgium's 2.08, Spain held firm defensively and made their limited opportunities count.

The second half saw both coaches turn to their benches, with Spain introducing Alex Baena and later Mikel Oyarzabal as they sought a winner. Belgium pressed without reward, and Kevin De Bruyne was shown a yellow card before being withdrawn in the 86th minute. Two minutes later, substitute Merino headed home to send Spain through, a result that our pre-match AI model had rated as the most likely outcome at 54%.

Belgium will reflect on a performance that dominated the statistical picture — 17 total shots and eight on target — yet ultimately yielded nothing. Spain advance to the semi-finals on the strength of clinical finishing and resilience under sustained pressure.

AI-generated report based on match data.

Timeline

Fabián Ruiz
30' 1–0
1–1 41'
Charles De Ketelaere assist: Timothy Castagne
Pau Cubarsí Yellow Card
43'
HT 1–1
Alex Baena ⇄ Ferran Torres
55'
Fabián Ruiz ⇄ Pedri
55'
60'
Leandro Trossard ⇄ Axel Witsel
60'
Hans Vanaken ⇄ Romelu Lukaku
61'
Maxim De Cuyper ⇄ Joaquin Seys
71'
Thibaut Courtois ⇄ Senne Lammens
Mikel Oyarzabal ⇄ Nico Williams
79'
85'
Kevin De Bruyne Yellow Card
86'
Kevin De Bruyne ⇄ Alexis Saelemaekers
Dani Olmo ⇄ Mikel Merino
86'
Mikel Merino
88' 2–1
Aymeric Laporte Yellow Card
90+3'
90+5'
Axel Witsel Yellow Card
FT 2–1
Spain

Match Stats

Belgium
68% Ball Possession 32%
2.08 Expected Goals (xG) 0.37
17 Total Shots 5
8 Shots on Goal 2
4 Shots off Goal 1
5 Blocked Shots 2
10 Shots insidebox 4
7 Shots outsidebox 1
5 Corner Kicks 1
3 Offsides 1
13 Fouls 18
2 Yellow Cards 2
Red Cards
1 Goalkeeper Saves 6
665 Total passes 314
598 Passes accurate 244
90% Passes % 78%
0.59 goals_prevented 0.59
Spain
Player Rating Min G A Shots Passes Tackles
16 Rodri M 7.6 90' 104 (98%) 1
22 Pau Cubarsí D 7.3 90' 1 91 (89%) 1
8 Fabián Ruiz M 7.3 55' 1 1 40 (35%) 1
10 Dani Olmo M 7.3 86' 2 42 (41%)
19 Lamine Yamal M 7.3 90' 4 47 (39%) 1
6 Mikel Merino M 7.2 12' 1 1 4 (4%)
20 Pedri M 7.0 35' 43 (37%)
21 Mikel Oyarzabal F 6.9 79' 1 25 (22%) 2
12 Pedro Porro D 6.9 90' 1 75 (66%) 2
15 Alex Baena M 6.9 55' 28 (22%) 1
14 Aymeric Laporte D 6.6 90' 67 (64%) 1
23 Unai Simón G 6.5 90' 33 (24%)
7 Ferran Torres F 6.5 35' 12 (8%)
24 Marc Cucurella D 6.3 90' 1 47 (43%) 1
17 Nico Williams F 6.3 11' 7 (6%)
Belgium
Player Rating Min G A Shots Passes Tackles
1 Thibaut Courtois G 7.9 71' 29 (22%)
17 Charles De Ketelaere F 7.5 90' 1 1 20 (10%)
25 Nathan Ngoy D 7.2 90' 40 (38%) 2
4 Brandon Mechele D 6.9 90' 36 (33%) 2
11 Jérémy Doku M 6.7 90' 19 (15%) 1
22 Alexis Saelemaekers F 6.7 12' 3 (1%)
23 Nicolas Raskin M 6.7 90' 39 (31%) 1
21 Timothy Castagne D 6.6 90' 1 26 (18%) 2
7 Kevin De Bruyne M 6.6 86' 1 24 (19%) 1
18 Joaquin Seys D 6.5 29' 7 (5%) 1
6 Axel Witsel M 6.5 30' 5 (4%)
10 Leandro Trossard M 6.3 60' 12 (12%)
5 Maxim De Cuyper D 6.3 61' 1 21 (16%)
20 Hans Vanaken M 6.3 60' 16 (12%)
12 Senne Lammens G 6.2 19' 13 (7%)
9 Romelu Lukaku F 6.2 30' 4 (1%)
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Desbloquea el análisis completo de la IA para Spain vs Belgium

  • Todos los mercados de probabilidad (70+)
  • Reporte de partido — Análisis Profundo IA
  • Ventaja de Valor — modelo vs. mercado
  • Copiloto en vivo durante el partido
Confidence Medium (54%)

At a glance

Nuestra inclinación
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Spain
WWWWW
Belgium
LWWWD

Match summary

In this World Cup clash, Spain faces Belgium in what promises to be a tactical battle. Spain boasts a possession-oriented style, averaging 63% possession in their recent matches, while Belgium relies on quick counter-attacks, with an average of 2.1 goals per game in qualifiers. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Spain's creativity against Belgium's physicality. Both teams have experienced players capable of turning the tide, making this encounter a potential highlight of the tournament. Defensive solidity will also be tested, as Belgium has conceded just 0.9 goals per game on average, while Spain's backline has been resilient. Expect a closely contested match.
Advanced analysis

Expected goals (xG)

How many goals each side is likely to create, on average.

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Second-model agreement

Our model vs an independent one — when they agree, conviction is higher.

Ours
Independent
Home
54%
45%
Draw
27%
45%
Away
18%
10%

Most likely scores

Model probability of each exact scoreline.

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Players in form

Spain
Mikel Oyarzabal 5 gls
Belgium
R. Lukaku 3 gls
C. De Ketelaere 3 gls

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Head to Head: Spain vs Belgium

No head-to-head history found between these teams.

Spain — Recent Form

Date Opponent Result Score
19 Jul H Argentina W 1 - 0
14 Jul A France W 0 - 2
10 Jul H Belgium W 2 - 1
06 Jul A Portugal W 0 - 1
02 Jul H Austria W 3 - 0

Belgium — Recent Form

Date Opponent Result Score
10 Jul A Spain L 2 - 1
07 Jul A USA W 1 - 4
01 Jul H Senegal W 3 - 2
27 Jun A New Zealand W 1 - 5
21 Jun H Iran D 0 - 0

World Cup Standings

Group A

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Mexico
3 3 0 0 +6 9
2
South Africa
3 1 1 1 -1 4
4
Czechia
3 0 1 2 -4 1

Group B

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Switzerland
3 2 1 0 +4 7
2
Canada
3 1 1 1 +5 4
4
Qatar
3 0 1 2 -8 1

Group C

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Brazil
3 2 1 0 +6 7
2
Morocco
3 2 1 0 +3 7
4
Haiti
3 0 0 3 -6 0

Group D

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
USA
3 2 0 1 +4 6
2
Australia
3 1 1 1 0 4
4
Türkiye
3 1 0 2 -2 3

Group E

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Germany
3 2 0 1 +6 6
2
Ivory Coast
3 2 0 1 +2 6
4
Curaçao
3 0 1 2 -8 1

Group F

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Netherlands
3 2 1 0 +6 7
2
Japan
3 1 2 0 +4 5
4
Tunisia
3 0 0 3 -10 0

Group G

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Belgium
3 1 2 0 +4 5
2
Egypt
3 1 2 0 +2 5
4
New Zealand
3 0 1 2 -6 1

Group H

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Spain
3 2 1 0 +5 7
2
Cape Verde Islands
3 0 3 0 0 3
4
Saudi Arabia
3 0 2 1 -4 2

Group I

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
France
3 3 0 0 +8 9
2
Norway
3 2 0 1 +1 6
4
Iraq
3 0 0 3 -11 0

Group J

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Argentina
3 3 0 0 +7 9
2
Austria
3 1 1 1 0 4
4
Jordan
3 0 0 3 -5 0

Group K

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Colombia
3 2 1 0 +3 7
2
Portugal
3 1 2 0 +5 5
4
Uzbekistan
3 0 0 3 -9 0

Group L

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
England
3 2 1 0 +4 7
2
Croatia
3 2 0 1 0 6
4
Panama
3 0 0 3 -4 0

Group Stage

# Team P W D L GD Pts
1
Congo DR
3 1 1 1 +1 4
2
Sweden
3 1 1 1 0 4
3
Ghana
3 1 1 1 0 4
4
Ecuador
3 1 1 1 0 4
5
Bosnia & Herzegovina
3 1 1 1 -1 4
6
Algeria
3 1 1 1 -2 4
7
Paraguay
3 1 1 1 -2 4
8
Senegal
3 1 0 2 +2 3
9
Iran
3 0 3 0 0 3
10
South Korea
3 1 0 2 -1 3
11
Scotland
3 1 0 2 -3 3
12
Uruguay
3 0 2 1 -1 2

Belgium

Formation: 4-2-3-1 Coach: Rudi Garcia
1 Courtois
5 Cuyper
4 Mechele
25 Ngoy
21 Castagne
23 Raskin
20 Vanaken
11 Doku
7 Bruyne
10 Trossard
17 Ketelaere

Starting XI

# Player Pos
1 Thibaut Courtois G
21 Timothy Castagne D
25 Nathan Ngoy D
4 Brandon Mechele D
5 Maxim De Cuyper D
20 Hans Vanaken M
23 Nicolas Raskin M
10 Leandro Trossard M
7 Kevin De Bruyne M
11 Jérémy Doku M
17 Charles De Ketelaere F

Substitutes

6 Axel Witsel M
9 Romelu Lukaku F
18 Joaquin Seys D
12 Senne Lammens G
22 Alexis Saelemaekers F
13 Mike Penders G
3 Arthur Theate D
15 Thomas Meunier D
16 Koni De Winter D
19 Diego Moreira F
14 Dodi Lukebakio F
26 Matías Fernández-Pardo F

Spain

Formation: 4-2-3-1 Coach: Luis de la Fuente
23 Simón
24 Cucurella
14 Laporte
22 Cubarsí
12 Porro
8 Ruiz
16 Rodri
15 Baena
10 Olmo
19 Yamal
21 Oyarzabal

Starting XI

# Player Pos
23 Unai Simón G
12 Pedro Porro D
22 Pau Cubarsí D
14 Aymeric Laporte D
24 Marc Cucurella D
16 Rodri M
8 Fabián Ruiz M
19 Lamine Yamal M
10 Dani Olmo M
15 Alex Baena M
21 Mikel Oyarzabal F

Substitutes

20 Pedri M
7 Ferran Torres F
17 Nico Williams F
6 Mikel Merino M
1 David Raya G
13 Joan García G
2 Marc Pubill D
4 Eric García D
5 Marcos Llorente M
3 Alejandro Grimaldo D
9 Pablo Gavi M
18 Martín Zubimendi M
11 Yéremy Pino M
25 Víctor Muñoz F
26 Borja Iglesias F

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