Spain face Belgium in Los Angeles later today for a place in the World Cup semi-finals, with the winner set to meet France in Dallas on Tuesday after Didier Deschamps’ side became the first team through to the last four following their win over Morocco.
Opta’s supercomputer heavily favours Spain, giving them a 58.3% chance of winning inside 90 minutes based on 25,000 simulations, compared to just 19.1% for Belgium, with a draw the outcome in 22.6% of cases. Factoring in extra time and penalties, Spain are projected to advance in almost 70% of simulations.
The form book backs that up. Luis de la Fuente’s Spain remain unbeaten at major tournaments under his charge, winning 11 of 12 matches, and have progressed from all six knockout ties he’s overseen — a record matched by only two managers in European international football history. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has also been in exceptional form, completing 17 dribbles at this World Cup, a tally bettered by only Jamal Musiala and Kylian Mbappé among teenagers since 1966.
Belgium will lean heavily on Romelu Lukaku, who has scored in each of the Red Devils’ last three World Cup matches — all as a substitute — making him only the second Belgian to score in three straight tournament games, after Marc Wilmots in 2002.
Elsewhere, Egypt received a heroes’ welcome on their return home, greeted by fans lining the streets as their team paraded through on an open-top bus, despite their agonizing last-16 exit to holders Argentina after squandering a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes to lose 3-2.
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