European champions Spain face Belgium in a quarterfinal clash at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, setting up a potential World Cup semifinal against Kylian Mbappe's France in Texas next Tuesday.

Described by observers as a potential final before the final, Spain must first overcome a resilient Belgian side that has gained momentum after a slow tournament start.

Belgium head into the match following a 4-1 demolition of the USA under coach Rudi Garcia, displaying improved form after an opening group-stage phase where they appeared leaden and ageing.

The Belgian squad features remaining stars of their Golden Generation, including Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois and remains comfortable with its underdog status.

Coach Garcia noted, "Everyone is already talking about us going home. But we think that we can do it. We think we can pull it off, and we're going to do everything we can to get to the semis."

Belgium's path included a comeback victory from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2 following Romelu Lukaku's introduction, followed by a victory over the USA in a game marked by an intervention from President Donald Trump to rescind Folarin Balogun's red card, which inspired an on-field YMCA dance imitation by the Belgians.

Facing them is a Spanish defence that has conceded zero goals and allowed only six shots on target across five matches, though Belgium faces the challenge of breaking that barrier.

Spain have relied on the possession-based approach from their 2010 South Africa triumph rather than high-scoring attacking flair.

While 18-year-old Lamine Yamal has scored once and remained a peripheral figure following a late-season injury, Mikel Oyarzabal has stepped up with four goals, including two against Austria.

Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente remarked regarding Yamal, "We know that the best version of him, the attacking Lamine, is something that we haven't quite seen yet in this World Cup. Not to the level that we're used to."

Elsewhere in the tournament, France advanced to the semi-finals on Thursday with a clinical 2-0 victory over Morocco in Foxborough, Massachusetts, featuring goals from Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe—his eighth of the tournament and 20th overall.

Although Mbappe left the pitch applying an ice pack to his foot, he assured supporters that his injury was minor. Meanwhile, England face selection concerns ahead of Saturday's quarterfinal against Norway in Miami.

Centre-half Marc Guehi is doubtful due to a hamstring strain and will be assessed on Friday, while Jarell Quansah remains suspended following a red card against Mexico, leaving coach Thomas Tuchel with defensive challenges in preparing to stop Erling Haaland.

Source: AFP