Belgium dreams of Mexico 1986, Spain continues dominance

When Belgium famously Tissot In Puebla, Mexico, they eliminated Spain in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup through penalty shootout. It was just a continuation of the success of the "red devils" over the "red fury".

Up until that point, the team from the Pyrenees had not had a single triumph over Belgium, but from the next World Cup four years later in Italy everything changed.

Spain celebrated in Verona, and the "devils" are still waiting for a new Puebla to knock down this rival for 40 years.

A new opportunity has arrived at the World Cup again, again in the quarter-finals - Spain and Belgium will clash tonight at 21pm in Los Angeles..

CAN ANYONE BEAT SIMON?

Spain, as the European champion and a team whose net has never been shaken at this World Cup, is certainly the favorite, but Belgium, which is at the turning point of the generation, has also shown how dangerous it can be.

- Of course we accept the role of favorites, after all, we are here because we want to win the World Cup - he said Pedri, midfielder for Spain.

However...

- Belgium has great players and one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Kurtou Arrives, but we believe in what we do. Likewise our goalkeeper, Unai Simon, "We haven't conceded a goal in the tournament yet, and that gives us great confidence," the Barcelona maestro emphasized.

Spain is not as vibrant as they were at the European Championship two years ago, but they clearly know how to win and play for the result even if they are not having a good day.

- As the tournament progresses, each match becomes more difficult. There are simply no easy opponents anymore - he warned Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach.

COURTOIS: WE GROW AS THE TOURNAMENT GOES ON

Belgium went from being a team that few believed in overnight to a team that many fell in love with.

First because of the epic turnaround against Senegal (from 0:2 to 3:2), and then because they eliminated the United States of America at a time when the world was shocked by the "Balogun case".

Unlike those matches Rudi Garcia and his guys won't have any pressure now.

- We know that Spain is the favorite, but I believe we can beat them - Courtois emphasized.

One of the best goalkeepers of all time is happy that his team has grown throughout the World Cup.

"As the tournament progresses, we are getting better. We need to be disciplined in defense and take advantage of the space that the Spanish leave behind their back line," says Courtois.

The Belgian goalkeeper has been defending in Spain for 15 years - first for Atletico, then for Real.

- I know most of the Spanish players very well. They put a lot of pressure on the ball when they lose it and they have extremely good players like Lamina Jamal"We will have to be very concentrated," concluded Courtois.