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World Cup: Spain 🇪🇸 vs Belgium 🇧🇪 who leads the first half? Our Prediction

Mambo, football fans! The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals deliver a European heavyweight showdown when Spain and Belgium face off on Friday, July 10th, at 3:00 PM ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. This is a match that promises fireworks, but the question for traders on Kadiplay is simple: who will be leading when the referee blows the half-time whistle?

Spain's Incredible Tournament Form

Spain's defense and goalkeeping has been superb this tournament, as it hasn't allowed a goal through its first five games. La Roja are on an extraordinary run, with Spain now unbeaten in 35 straight games (26-9-0, W-D-L) since March 2024, tying the longest undefeated run in team history. Their goalkeeper Unai Simón extends his World Cup record to 609 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal in his World Cup career, the longest such streak ever by a keeper.

This is the first time Spain has advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals since winning the tournament in 2010. They've shown quality throughout, beating Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to top Group H, then eliminated Austria in the round of 32 and Portugal in the last 16. Against Portugal, Luis de la Fuente's side left it late to progress, needing a stoppage-time goal from substitute Mikel Merino.

Belgium's Attacking Power

Belgium arrive in Los Angeles with momentum of their own. Belgium cruised to a 4-1 win against the U.S. on Monday, showing their clinical edge in front of goal. Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 2018 with a 4-1 win over the United States.

Belgium have been in strong form recently, winning 3 of their last 5 matches (60% win rate). They have scored 14 goals and conceded 4 during this period. The Red Devils' attack features dangerous players like Charles De Ketelaere, who scored twice against the USA, and veteran striker Romelu Lukaku scored his eighth career World Cup goal, extending his record for the most by a Belgian player ever.

Head-to-Head History

History slightly favours Spain in this fixture. The football Teams Belgium and Spain played 6 Games since 1986. Among them, Belgium won - games (Total Goals 3, PPG 0.5), Spain won 5 (Total Goals 14, PPG 2.3), and drew 1. At World Cup level specifically, Spain National Team faced Belgium in 2 opportunities, with 1 win, 1 draw and 0 lossess.

This will be the third time the two nations have met at a World Cup, and one side will finally pull ahead in a previously level head-to-head record. Their previous World Cup meetings came at Mexico 1986, also in the quarterfinals, with Belgium advancing via penalty shootout. Spain got their revenge at the following edition, topping a shared group with a 2-1 victory.

First Half Tactical Battle

The first half of this quarterfinal will be a fascinating tactical chess match. Spain's approach centres on possession and control, with 65% Possession being their tournament average. They're patient builders who probe for openings, often waiting until opponents tire before striking.

Belgium, meanwhile, have shown they can strike early and often. In their round of 16 victory, Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin had four defenders closing in on him. He beat the first two by splitting them with his first touch, and the other two watched as he whipped a grounded cross into Charles De Ketelaere to give Belgium the lead in the ninth minute. This demonstrates Belgium's ability to create danger in transition.

Tournament statistics reveal contrasting styles: Spain 1.80 Average Goals, 0 Average Goals Conceded compared to Belgium 2.60 Average Goals, 1 Average Goals Conceded. Spain's defensive solidity versus Belgium's attacking threat sets up an intriguing dynamic.

Our Prediction: Even at Halftime

After analysing both teams' tournament form and tactical approaches, we're predicting this match to be level at half-time. Here's why:

Spain's defensive record is extraordinary. They haven't conceded in 609 World Cup minutes, and their cautious, possession-based approach means they rarely concede early goals. Belgium will find it incredibly difficult to break them down in the opening 45 minutes.

On the flip side, Belgium's defence has been solid enough, conceding just once per game on average. Their experience and organisation, led by captain Youri Tielemans under Rudi Garcia's side, means they won't be easily breached either.

Quarterfinal football at the World Cup is typically cagey, especially in the first half. Both teams will be cautious, knowing one mistake could end their World Cup dreams. Spain will control possession without taking excessive risks, while Belgium will stay compact and look for counter-attacking opportunities.

Historical data supports this prediction. In high-stakes knockout matches between European powers, the first half is often a feeling-out period. Neither side will want to concede early, and both have the defensive quality to keep things tight.

The value prediction on Kadiplay is Even at halftime. Expect a tactical, measured opening 45 minutes with both teams cancelling each other out before the real drama unfolds in the second half.

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