The Red Devils face a daunting World Cup quarter-final against a Spanish side that has become their recurring international nightmare in recent decades.
A heavyweight quarter-final showdown pits Spain against Belgium with a coveted semi-final berth at stake. De la Fuente’s side secured their progression after edging past Portugal in a grueling encounter, while the Belgians reached the last eight by overcoming tournament hosts, the United States. This latest European clash reignites a rivalry that has undergone a dramatic shift in momentum; while Belgium were once a persistent thorn in the side of the Iberians, ‘La Roja’s’ modern golden era has fostered a period of dominance that inspires immense confidence.
The first chapter of this saga was written in Antwerp in 1920, where the Olympic Games provided Spain with their debut on the international stage. Facing the hosts Belgium in the quarter-finals, ‘La Roja’ slumped to a 3-1 defeat amidst a backdrop of controversial officiating. Half a century later, the stakes were even higher as Spain battled for a place at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. After a 1-1 draw in Spain and a 2-1 defeat in the return leg, Belgium pipped the Spanish side to qualification, causing them to miss the World Cup for the first time since 1958.
A decade later, the two nations crossed paths in the group stage of the 1980 European Championship, where goals from Gerets and Cools condemned Spain to a 2-1 loss despite a strike from Quini. However, the most agonizing blow arrived at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. In a quarter-final clash—a stage that then represented a psychological ceiling for ‘La Roja’—the teams were inseparable at 1-1 after goals from Ceulemans and Senor. The subsequent penalty shootout saw a miss from Eloy prove fatal, sending the Spaniards home in heartbreaking fashion.
A shift in the tide
The dynamic shifted decisively from the 1990 World Cup onwards. Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the group stage, courtesy of goals from Michel and Gorriz. Since that night in Italy, the two nations have avoided each other in major tournaments—until this 2026 World Cup—with their meetings restricted to qualifiers and friendlies. It is a period in which Spain have been untouchable, amassing an 11-match unbeaten streak.
Since 1990, the head-to-head record stands at a formidable seven wins and just one draw. That solitary stalemate came in a 1995 Euro qualifier which finished 1-1, featuring goals from Julen Guerrero and Degryse. Their most recent encounter took place in September 2016, a friendly in which Spain cruised to a 2-0 victory thanks to a David Silva brace.