Spain to Face an Unbeaten Belgium Riding an 18-Match Streak
Belgium will enter its FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal clash against Spain riding an impressive 18-match unbeaten streak. Rudi Garcia's side is enjoying its best run since the French coach took charge.
Spain's road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals will feature one of its toughest challenges yet. In the quarterfinals, La Roja will take on a Belgium side that is enjoying one of the strongest runs in its recent history, arriving in Los Angeles unbeaten in its last 18 matches.
Since Rudi Garcia took over as head coach, Belgium has rediscovered its confidence and consistency. Although his first match in charge ended in a defeat against Ukraine in March 2025, that setback marked the beginning of an impressive turnaround that has transformed the Red Devils into one of the tournament's most dangerous contenders.
An Unbeaten Run That Demands Respect
Following that loss, Belgium immediately bounced back with a victory over Ukraine and has not lost a match since. During that stretch, the team has recorded 12 wins and six draws, highlighting the stability and balance achieved under Rudi Garcia's leadership.
The Belgians also arrive on the back of three straight victories at the World Cup, defeating New Zealand, staging a dramatic comeback against Senegal, and dominating the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16.
The unbeaten streak also includes convincing wins over Wales, Liechtenstein, Croatia, Tunisia, and the United States, showcasing the team's improvement on both ends of the field.
Spain Ready to Test Belgium's Best Form
The challenge for Spain will be ending one of the longest active unbeaten streaks in international football. Luis de la Fuente's squad enters the match with confidence after eliminating Portugal, while Belgium appears to have rediscovered the level that once made it one of Europe's elite national teams.
Experienced stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard, and Thibaut Courtois will once again be expected to lead the Belgian side as it looks to keep its remarkable run alive.
At the same time, Spain arrives with plenty of momentum of its own, boasting one of the tournament's strongest defenses and standout performances from Mikel Merino, Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Mikel Oyarzabal.
