​Spain face Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday night, knowing that both teams are just two victories away from reaching the World Cup final. La Roja have yet to concede a goal in the tournament, though questions linger about their ruthless finishing after narrowly defeating Portugal thanks to Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time goal in the round of 16. Belgium, on the other hand, appear to be hitting their stride at the right moment, having executed their game plan to perfection by defeating the United States in Seattle, despite some doubts about their group-stage performances. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
Spain vs Belgium is scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday, July 10, in Los Angeles. UK viewers can watch the match live on BBC1, with coverage starting at 7:30pm BST. A live stream will be available via BBC iPlayer. The winner of this tie will meet the victor of the other semi-final between France and Morocco, who progressed to the last four after overcoming their quarter-final opponents.
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, is expected to name the same depleted lineup that found a late route past Portugal. Nico Williams continues to struggle with a muscle issue after the brutal challenge he absorbed against Uruguay in the group stage, while Yeremy Pino remains sidelined after injuring his collarbone in the same match. A likely Spain XI could line up as follows: Simon; Porro, Cb (likely Laporte), Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal. In midfield and attack, Pedri and Olmo are central to Spain’s creativity, with Yamal providing spark on the wing.
Belgium, meanwhile, have had to adapt after Amadou Onana’s injury ruled him out for the rest of the year due to a ruptured ACL sustained against the USA. His absence opens the door for others to step in, with Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne potentially restored to the starting lineup to bolster their attacking options. A probable Belgium starting XI could be: Courtois; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken, Tielemans; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere. In this setup, Belgium would look to exploit pace and creativity on the flanks while leveraging De Bruyne’s playmaking ability through the middle.
For those seeking an English-language broadcast, BBC1 in the United Kingdom will provide live coverage, with pre-match analysis and post-match reaction to follow. Fans can also stream the action live via BBC iPlayer, ensuring access across compatible devices. The stakes are high, with a spot in the World Cup final on the line as two European powerhouses collide in Los Angeles.
As the match approaches, anticipation continues to build around how Spain will handle Belgium’s evolving threat and whether La Roja can maintain their defensive solidity while extending their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Belgium, energised by recent performances, will aim to maximize their chances by exploiting counter-attacking opportunities and pressing high to disrupt Spain’s build-up play. With both teams possessing elite talent and a clear path to the final, this contest promises to deliver a tactical duel and high-quality football under the lights in Los Angeles.