Spain, Belgium brace for blockbuster last-eight battle

Doha, Qatar: Spain have made winning look routine at the FIFA World Cup, but Belgium’s growing confidence suggests today’s quarter-final could be anything but.

A place in the last four is at stake when two of Europe’s biggest football nations meet at Los Angeles Stadium today (10pm Qatar time), with La Roja’s flawless campaign coming up against a Belgian side that has gathered momentum with every passing match.

European champions Spain arrived in North America as one of the favourites and have done little to challenge that tag. sportnewz.click

They topped Group H before sweeping aside Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 and edging Portugal 1-0 in a tense Iberian derby, where substitute Mikel Merino struck deep into stoppage time to seal their place in the quarter-finals.

More impressively, Luis de la Fuente’s men have yet to concede a goal, becoming the first team in World Cup history to register six successive clean sheets.

Spain’s defensive solidity has been matched by the quality throughout the side. Rodri continues to dictate play from midfield, Pedri and Dani Olmo provide the craft, while teenager Lamine Yamal remains one of the tournament’s biggest attractions despite the extra attention he receives from opposing defenders.

Mikel Oyarzabal has also been a key figure in Spain’s attacking surge, leading their scoring charts with four goals in five matches at the tournament.

“He brings so much to the team with his dribbling and presence. When he receives the ball, two or three opposing players close in on him, which opens up space,” Olmo said of his Barcelona teammate Yamal.

“Lamine scores and assists, he’s always done that in his short career, and even when he doesn’t, he’ll keep helping us with the work he’s doing.”

Spain’s success has been built as much on discipline as flair.

“We are a team where everyone attacks and everyone defends,” Olmo said. “The coach says the number nine is the first to defend and the others follow suit. The defensive line has been spectacular. If we keep a clean sheet, we’re closer to winning.”

Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne in action during a training session yesterday. (PICS: AFP)

Belgium, meanwhile, have quietly grown into one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams. After opening with draws against Egypt and Iran, the Red Devils found their rhythm by thrashing New Zealand 5-1 to finish top of Group G. They then produced a stirring comeback from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the Round of 32 before dismantling co-hosts United States 4-1 in Seattle to reach the last eight.

Rudi Garcia’s side still leans on the experience of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, while Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere have added pace, creativity and goals to Belgium’s attack.

The only major setback ahead of the showdown is the absence of Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament against the United States.

Today’s contest will renew a World Cup rivalry that has produced one win apiece. Belgium eliminated Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 1986 quarter-finals before La Roja responded with a 2-1 victory in the group stage at Italia ‘90.

Overall, Spain have enjoyed the upper hand in the fixture, winning 12 of their 22 meetings, with Belgium claiming five victories and five matches ending level.

Spain’s perfect record and defensive resilience make them deserved favourites, but Belgium’s ability to overcome adversity and hurt opponents in different ways makes this one of the World Cup’s most intriguing quarter-finals.

طالب الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، الاتحاد الدولي للعبة (فيفا) باستبعاد الحكم الفرنسي فرانسوا لوتيكسييه من بقية منافسات كأس العالم 2026، منددا بـ»أخطاء تحكيمية فادحة» خلال مباراة ثمن النهائي التي خسرها المنتخب المصري أمام الأرجنتين.
ومن خلال رئيسه هاني أبو ريدة، طالب الاتحاد المصري نظيره الدولي في بيان، بفتح تحقيق مع لوتيكسييه «بعد الأخطاء التحكيمية الفادحة التي ارتكبها طاقم الحكام والكيل بمكيالين، ما تسبب في خسارة منتخب مصر للمباراة والخروج من المونديال»، وفق ما ورد في البيان.
كما طالب بحرمان الحكم الرئيس ومساعديه وحكام الفيديو من إدارة مباريات كأس العالم «بعد التحقيق في هذه الأخطاء وثبوت جريمة التمييز ضد منتخب مصر والتسبب في خسارته للمباراة وخروجه من البطولة».
وانتقد بشكل خاص «الإصرار على عدم مراجعة بعض اللقطات»، والتي رأى فيها «أحقية الفراعنة في هدف صحيح وركلة جزاء».

Doha, Qatar: When Norway and England meet in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals early Sunday morning (12am Qatar time), a place among the final four will be at stake, but so too will two very different footballing dreams.

England continue their pursuit of a first World Cup title since 1966, while Norway have already rewritten their record books in North America and now stand one victory away from a first semi-final appearance.

Both arrive full of belief after surviving dramatic knockout encounters, setting up what promises to be one of the most intriguing ties of the tournament.

Thomas Tuchel’s England have shown resilience as much as quality on their route to the last eight. After topping Group L ahead of Croatia, the Three Lions have twice been forced to dig deep when their World Cup hopes appeared to be slipping away.

Their Round of 32 clash against DR Congo produced another landmark in England’s World Cup history. Brian Cipenga’s early strike left them trailing at half-time before captain Harry Kane produced a trademark response, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 victory and hand England their first-ever World Cup comeback win after trailing at the interval.

England’s Round of 16 clash against Mexico proved another dramatic test. Jude Bellingham struck twice in quick succession to put England firmly in control before Julian Quinones reduced the deficit. Jarell Quansah’s dismissal threatened to swing the momentum completely, but Kane calmly converted from the penalty spot for his sixth goal of the tournament before Raul Jimenez replied with another spot-kick. England ultimately survived a tense finale to prevail 3-2 and return to the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament.

Standing in their way are a Norway side who have become one of the stories of World Cup 2026.

Having finished runners-up in Group I, Stale Solbakken’s men have embraced the knockout rounds with fearless conviction. They secured the nation’s first-ever World Cup knockout victory by defeating Cote d’Ivoire before producing one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by eliminating five-time champions Brazil.

Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland’s penalty save proved pivotal before Erling Haaland struck twice in the closing stages to send Norway into the last eight of the World Cup for the first time.

Erling Haaland has been Norway’s standout performer with seven goals this tournament, while captain Martin Odegaard has continued to impress with his creativity in midfield.

For Haaland, the quarter-final carries extra significance.

“It’s a special game, yeah, definitely. I think for me it’s super special, because I play in England and I was born in England, and you also play against team-mates and everything. It’s a funny game and it’s gonna be nice,” Haaland said.

“Playing against Brazil was kind of crazy for us Norwegians and to win against Brazil and then go and play England in the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the USA is quite special.”

England also have their own stars in fine form. Harry Kane has scored six goals and provided one assist in five matches, while Jude Bellingham has delivered another series of influential performances and will be looking to add to his tally in the quarter-finals.

With two of the game’s most prolific strikers leading the line, fine margins could decide the contest.

England will be without suspended defender Jarell Quansah following his red card against Mexico, while Norway are monitoring the fitness of full-back David Moller Wolfe after he was forced off during the victory over Brazil.

Jordan Henderson is also an injury concern for England after suffering a wrist injury in the celebrations following the Mexico win.

History offers England encouragement.

The Three Lions have won seven of the 12 previous meetings between the nations, with Norway victorious twice and three matches ending level.

Yet history has counted for little throughout this World Cup.