Football Bet of the Day: Spain to book semi spot

The 2026 World Cup quarter-finals continue with an all-European affair at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Friday night (8pm BST, live on BBC One), as Euro 2024 winners Spain take on a Belgium side boosted by their stunning 4-1 triumph over co-hosts USA.

My Football Bet of the Day comes from the sole affair in North America.

Belgium’s best efforts at a World Cup were a couple of runs to the semi-finals - firstly at Mexico 1986, where they defied low expectations, and more recently at Russia 2018, where they were disappointed to miss out on a place in the final.

They got off to a slow start this summer, drawing against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0), but have improved in the knockout rounds and are approaching the Spain fixture with growing confidence.

Greater consistency has been shown by Spain, who are yet to concede a single goal.

La Roja were 1-0 winners over regional rivals Portugal in the round of 16 and have established a new tournament record of six consecutive World Cup clean sheets.

Spain vs Belgium Odds

Spain are the only team to have reached the quarter-finals without conceding a goal and their defensive solidity can lay the foundation for a fairly routine success over Belgium, who they have beaten in five successive matches.

There was an early scare for Spain, who seemed to lack intensity and urgency in their goalless draw against Cape Verde.

But Luis de la Fuente’s side responded with a thumping 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia and have continued to make serene progress through the tournament.

The last-16 tie with Portugal was a predictably tight affair between teams with high quality individuals, who know each other so well.

But Spain looked the more assured and composed of the two sides and they came up with a clinical moment in injury-time when substitute Mikel Merino applied the final flourish to a well-constructed move.

Bringing on Merino and Fabian Ruiz was an illustration of the depth of Spain’s midfield resources.

And Spain’s ability to control the game in the centre of the park has been key to their fairly stress-free experience over the last few weeks.

Belgium have raised the intensity levels since their pedestrian performances from the start of the group stage and were worthy winners over the USA, who had been well-fancied going into the game.

But the Red Devils have struggled to get the best out of star players Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku and they remain defensively suspect, having kept only two clean sheets in the last eight matches.

There are a few positive signs from emerging players Charles De Ketelaere, Maxim De Cuyper and Nicolas Raskin, who are in their mid-twenties and could be around for a few more major tournaments.

But Belgium have the look of a team in transition and they could be brushed aside by a steely, focused Spain, who seem determined to reach another major final.

Spain have gone 35 games without defeat and their incredible run can continue with a low-scoring success.

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Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.

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