Spain‘s defense has been the story at this World Cup, yet to surrender a goal through five matches, and Luis de la Fuente’s side enters Friday’s quarterfinal against Belgium hoping to survive and advance to the tournament’s final four.
Spain got a stoppage-time winner from substitute Mikel Merino to beat Portugal in an all-Iberian round of 16 thriller last time out. Goalkeeper Unai Simon hasn’t conceded in 609 minutes dating back to the 2022 tournament, a new World Cup record. Defender Pau Cubarsi, just 19 years old, is firmly establishing himself as one of the world’s best.
De la Fuente has some decisions to make in attack, but the team will likely be largely unchanged from the starting lineup against Portugal.
Here’s how the European champions could line up:
Spain lineup prediction today vs Belgium
- GK: Unai Simon
- DF: Pedro Porro
- DF: Aymeric Laporte
- DF: Pau Cubarsi
- DF: Marc Cucurella
- MF: Pedri
- MF: Rodri
- FW: Lamine Yamal
- FW: Dani Olmo
- FW: Alex Baena
- FW: Mikel Oyarzabal
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spain predicted lineup today: World Cup starting XI projection vs Belgium
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