Spain vs Belgium Score Prediction: While Spain continue their pursuit of a second FIFA World Cup, Lamine Yamal has announced his arrival at the biggest stage of football in style. The teenage sensation, now looking forward to a blockbuster quarter-final against Belgium, scored in his debut game against Saudi Arabia, coming on as a substitute. His first World Cup goal, that too at the age of 18, may have grabbed the headlines, but it is his dazzling dribbling that sets Yamal apart. The Barcelona winger has completed 22 successful dribbles in this year’s competition.
Now, the La Masia graduate, set to celebrate his 19th birthday later this week, remains in touching distance of a historic record held by French superstar Kylian Mbappe. Expected to start in the last-8 clash today in Los Angeles, Yamal needs to complete six more dribbles to surpass Mbappe for most dribbles in a single World Cup edition as a teenager.
Can Lamine Yamal Break Kylian Mbappe’s Dribbling Record?
Lamine Yamal now sits third on the charts, with Kylian Mbappe and Jamal Musiala occupying the first two spots. The French forward completed 22 dribbles at the 2018 World Cup when he was 19. Musiala recorded 19 dribbles in the following 2022 edition at the same age. Yamal could better their tally even as a younger player. He completed three dribbles in the last game against Portugal, which Spain won through Mikel Merino’s late strike.
Spain vs Belgium Team News & Prediction
Spain are no doubt a better side on paper, but in World Cup knockouts, this logic doesn’t always work. Belgium have shown their quality throughout the tournament, and won’t easily give up the semi-final spot. La Roja, on the other hand, have frustrated their opponent with small passes, with Pedri and Rodri dictating the midfield, linking up with Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena on the flanks. Luis de la Fuente have no injury concerns for his playing eleven.
The scenes are quite different at the Belgium camp, with Rudi Garcia doubtful about the availability of Leandro Trossard, who picked up a muscle knock in the previous outing against the USA. Amadou Onana has also been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee issue. In this situation, Garcia will keep faith in his experienced men like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku. Hans Vanaken could play as a replacement for Onana.
As Spain remain in better shape, we predict them to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, beating Belgium in extra time, though they would try to put the game to bed in 90 minutes.
Spain vs Belgium Score Prediction: ESP 2-1 BEL
Spain vs Belgium Starting Lineups
Spain Predicted Lineup: Courtois (GK), Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper, Vanaken, Raskin, Lukebakio, Tielemans, Doku, De Ketelaere
Belgium Predicted Lineup: Simon (GK), Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Baena, Oyarzabal
