World Cup: Theate and Grimaldo on the bench for the all-European quarter-final

Spain and Belgium will contest the second quarter-final at the 2026 World Cup.

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Spain and Belgium lock horns in Los Angeles for the right to face favorites France in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup. Alejandro Grimaldo, who has joined Atletico Madrid after a successful three-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Arthur Theate are once again on the bench for the two sides.

Meanwhile, former Bundesliga stars Dani Olmo and Kevin de Bruyne are in their respective national teams’ starting lineups. 

Spain are currently in a 35-game unbeaten run, and they're yet to concede a goal in the tournament. However, La Roja have never been in the World Cup semi-final apart from their triumphant campaign in 2010. Belgium beat Spain on penalties when they met in the same stage 40 years ago. 

Rudi Garcia's side produced their most convincing performance of the competition in Monday's big win over the United States, while Spain relied on a late goal from ex-Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mikel Merino to get past Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

Confirmed Spain vs. Belgium Lineups

Spain: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri ©, Ruiz; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Oyarzabal

Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, de Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans ©; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere