Spain vs Belgium Predictions

• Spain are yet to concede at the World Cup
• La Roja have faced just five shots on target in total
• Spain are on a 35-game unbeaten streak in normal time

Belgium next for impenetrable Spain

Spain edged out Iberian rivals Portugal in the last 16 thanks to a late strike from Mikel Merino and now they take on a Belgium side who have clicked into gear.

The Red Devils laboured through the group stage and needed to beat New Zealand in their final game to reach the knockout rounds. Belgium looked to be heading home when trailing Senegal 2-0 in the last 32, but two goals in the final five minutes and then a penalty in extra time turned that tie around.

That proved to be the kickstart they needed to hit their stride and they sent out a statement in the last 16 by thrashing co-hosts the USA. They also had extra motivation against the USMNT after an apparent presidential intervention saw Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban suspended, allowing him to feature against Belgium, but this incredible Spain side may prove simply too good even for a rejuvenated Belgian outfit.

Spain can keep another shut-out

Spain were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their opener but have won all four games since. La Roja may not be firing on all cylinders in attack, they struggled at times against Portugal before grabbing a late winner, but they have been exceptional at the back and are yet to concede a single goal in the tournament.

The win over Portugal secured a record sixth consecutive World Cup clean sheet as they drew 0-0 with Morocco in their final match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and keeper Unai Simon has set a new individual record during this tournament as he has now gone 609 minutes without conceding at the World Cup, smashing Walter Zenga’s long-standing previous record of 517 minutes.

Spain have also only faced a measly five shots on target over the course of this World Cup, so the odds of around 2/1 on Spain to win to nil appear generous.

Routine Spain win the pick

A 2-0 Spain win is the correct score prediction due to the fact that Luis de La Fuente’s men haven’t been blowing teams away. Belgium probably aren’t as strong a side as Portugal so La Roja should enjoy a bit more success going forward and they can win comfortably without scoring heavily against their European rivals.

Mikel Oyarzabal is Spain’s leading World Cup scorer with four goals and he can add to his total against Belgium. The Real Sociedad striker drew a blank against Portugal but did have a couple of chances, firing just wide when one-on-one with the keeper in the early stages of that game, and he should get some opportunities against a Belgian defence that has shipped five goals in as many games.