Spain Leads World Cup Quarterfinals With Top XG Rating Ahead of Belgium Clash

Spain is set to face Belgium in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time since their 2010 championship win. The Spanish team, known as La Roja, boasts the highest expected goals (XG) metric among the eight remaining teams, with a +8.3 differential, reflecting their dominance in creating quality scoring chances throughout the tournament. In contrast, Belgium ranks sixth with a +4.4 XG differential and will look to upset the favored Spaniards.

Spain has yet to concede a goal in the tournament, underscoring their strong defensive performance. Coach Luis de la Fuente is contemplating changes to the starting lineup from their previous victory over Portugal, particularly at right back, where Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente are competing for the spot. Midfielders Rodri, Pedri, and Dani Olmo are expected to retain their places, with Mikel Oyarzabal leading the attack. Meanwhile, Belgium’s coach Rudy Garcia is satisfied with the current squad following their impressive win against the United States and plans to maintain the same lineup, despite some notable players like Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne being on the bench.

The match is highly anticipated as Spain looks to leverage their superior form and statistical advantage to advance further in the tournament, while Belgium aims to capitalize on their momentum and challenge the tournament favorites.