Courtois sure: the Belgian 'Cinderellas' can surprise Spain

Why it matters

The match between Belgium and Spain represents a crucial crossroads for both teams in the context of the 2026 World Cup. Belgium, defined as 'Cinderella', has shown that they have the ability to surprise the favourites, as evidenced by their recent victory against the United States. Victory in this match could not only raise expectations for Belgium, but also influence their season and team morale ahead of the next challenges.

Key points

  • Courtois sure: the Belgian 'Cinderellas' can surprise Spain.
  • Thibaut Courtois expresses confidence in Belgium's ability to surprise Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals, despite being considered an underdog team.
  • Thibaut Courtois remains central to Belgium's plans.
Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper of the Belgian national team, said he has faith in his team, described by many as 'Cinderella', to defeat Spain in the quarter-final match of the 2026 World Cup. Belgium secured their place among the best eight teams of the tournament thanks to a clear 4-1 victory against co-hosts the United States, after making an incredible comeback against Senegal in the round of 16. This will be the third time they have faced each other in a World Cup, and the second in the quarter-finals, after the Belgians won on penalties in 1986, following a 1-1 draw (there was also a 2-1 victory for Spain in the 1990 group stage). Belgium have advanced to two of their three previous World Cup semi-finals, eliminating Spain on penalties in 1986 and beating Brazil 2-1 in 2018. Their only defeat at this stage came in 2014, when the Belgians were defeated 1-0 by Argentina. Image Spain, according to the analysis of Opta's supercomputers, has a 21.3% chance of winning the tournament, placing it as second favorite after France (26.9%). Courtois praised the qualities of the Iberian team, considering them among the favorites to lift the trophy: "Spain are a great team. I think they are one of the favorites to win the tournament," said Courtois. "Obviously we start as underdogs against them. But in football anything is possible. I believe we can win, with all due respect. But obviously, they are the favourites. For me, it helps that I know a lot of their players, most of them come from Spanish football, and I have faced some of them in the Champions League. But at the end of the day, we are playing against Spain, not against Barcelona, ​​City or Arsenal. Everyone knows those players." Belgium are proving to be an attacking team, averaging 21.4 shots per game over the course of this World Cup (107 shots in five games), which is the second highest ever recorded since 1966, behind only the 24.0 shots in 1970. Belgium's shot conversion rate this tournament, at 12.1%, is also the second highest in their history, only surpassed by 2018's 15.2%.

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What happens now

With the confidence expressed by Courtois, Belgium is preparing to face Spain with determination. If they can overcome this obstacle, they could get one step closer to their goal of reaching the semi-finals, a milestone they have already achieved in the past. The match will have a significant impact on their path in the 2026 World Cup and could redefine expectations for the team's future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the score of the match between Belgium and the United States in the quarterfinals?

Belgium won with a score of 4-1 against the United States.

What is the impact of Belgium's victory on the tournament standings?

Belgium's victory guaranteed them a place among the best eight teams of the tournament.

When will the Belgium vs Spain match be played?

The date of the match is not specified in the article.

What are Spain's chances of winning the tournament according to Opta?

Spain have a 21.3% chance of winning the tournament, placing them as second favourites.

What is the history of matches between Belgium and Spain in World Cups?

They have met three times, with Belgium winning on penalties in 1986 and Spain winning 2-1 in 1990.

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