- Spain are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions (W6, D4), winning 4 of their last 5.
- Belgium are also unbeaten in 10 (W7, D3) after a win over the USA in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
An interesting clash of styles at Los Angeles Stadium
Spain enter Friday's last-16 clash as the clear favourites at 1.67 and with good reason, as they are a formidable team that looks fully set up to go all the way in this competition.
Luis de la Fuente has built a possession-first team with his squad since taking charge on 8 December 2022, with Spain playing wide players who rotate into the centre and full-backs who like to join the attack.
The result is a compact, cohesive and well balanced unit who can be very difficult to break down, especially when the team presses forward and recovers the ball in good areas.
Mikel Oyarzabal has provided the cutting edge in attack with two goals in two games in the FIFA World Cup - Knockout Stage 2026 and three of Spain's last eight goals across their last five matches.
In contrast, Belgium are a team who can play through the middle and use the pace of their full-backs when they have the ball, with Kevin De Bruyne the maestro in the middle of the pitch.
Rudi Garcia's men are flexible enough to play either 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 and they press in patches rather than pressing with aggressive counter-pressing as Spain does.
When they do get the ball in their attacking third, they can hurt any team with their power through Lukaku or De Ketelaere when they rotate up top, but Garcia's side can also play a quick vertical game with De Bruyne as their chief orchestrator.
Spaniards should have the edge
Belgium's recent form is good with three wins and two draws in their last five, but they should be considered the underdogs in this last-16 clash with Spain having won four and drawn one in their last five after a 3-0 victory over Austria and 1-0 win over Portugal in this tournament.
Spain are the favourite because they are a great team with a good balance in attack and they can get through any defense with Oyarzabal's form in front of goal.
But Belgium are on a three-game winning streak and should not be underestimated with De Bruyne at the helm and they could take Spain to a close game.
