“Stats are there to be broken” – Garcia on Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final with Spain | OneFootball

Belgium head coach Rudi Garica insisted his side could match Spain’s knack for goals and cause an upset to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for just a third time.

Belgium perhaps didn’t expect themselves to be this position at the start of the tournament, after disappointing draws against Iran and Egypt in their group stage, but recovered their form to beat co-hosts United States 4-1 in the round of 16.

Following major controversy in the build-up to their game against hosts USA where the states’ star striker Florian Balogun had his red card suspended for a year following intervention from US President Donald Trump, Belgium swept them aside.

They had seemed down and out against Senegal in the previous round only to fight back from two goals down to snatch victory at the end of extra-time and now face their toughest challenge yet in a side yet to concede at the 2026 World Cup.

Garcia has been criticize for tactical and squad selection mishaps, but his team did dismantle the US without Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, or Romelu Lukaku in the starting line up.

With that, the Frenchman has won over his critics with Belgium’s run and rests assured Belgium can deliver a similar level of performance as they gear up to face one of the tournament favourites.

He said: “We know we are playing one of the favourites. Spain are probably the best at ball possession and they have been playing in ‌a recognisable way for 15 or 20 years.

“But we have a ‌great team. We are the second-highest scorers in the World Cup and we are ​facing the team with the highest expected goals. We think we can do it.”

Garcia may be full of confidence at the minute, but we can’t let a good time get in the way of the facts. Belgium are actually the third highest scorers at this World Cup with their 13 goals bettered only by favourites France (16) and Argentina (14).

While fingers have been pointed at both France and Argentina with critics saying they’re yet to be truly tested, Belgium have had to overcome major adversity by comparison to reach this stage.

Having to come back from two goals down against Senegal followed by conquering the host nation in a stadium filled to the brim with cheering Americans, Garcia was quick to point out that Belgium are here on merit alone and it would take more than being the underdogs to unsettle his players.

“We just beat the ‌US in a stadium where everyone was against us,” he said.

“It’s not the crowd that scores the goals. We will focus on what we can do. We have enough on our plate with Spain, who are a wonderful footballing team.

“Even if we are the ⁠underdogs, we will do everything ⁠we can to give them ‌a run for their money.”

Spain, on the other hand, are one of the tournament favourites and while they haven’t blown sides away or dazzled in attack quite as much as France, they are yet to concede a goal at this World Cup.

Luis De La Fuente’s team are the textbook definition of stable in a similar vein to the successful Germany sides of old.

On Belgium’s opponents, Garica said: ”We know we are playing one of the favourites and we know the strength they have as individuals and as a collective, which has been the case for 15 or 20 years now.

“They are the best when it comes to possession of the ball and we know that they have not conceded a goal but statistics are there to be broken and we will do what we can to score. If not, we will be sent packing.”

One of the main strengths Belgium have in their goalscoring locker is all-time top goal scorer Romelu Lukaku who has sat beside Garcia during their press conference.

Lukaku, 33, has been a mainstay for the Belgian national team for the best part of a decade now and knows his game has changed, still he is keen to add to his three goals at these finals.

“If you get ​this far, you don’t play just to go home,” the Napoli striker said, “It’s about the team,” he said. “I try to help on the pitch and off the pitch. At this stage of my career, you have to play with your head as well.”

It is sure to be an interesting match-up, with Belgium’s attacking power at this World Cup eventually coming through for everyone to see pitted against a front line led by 18-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal.

With the Barcelona winger yet to reach the heights he is truly capable of, there could be trouble ahead for Garcia’s side.

Belgium’s quarter-final clash with Spain in Los Angeles kicks off at 20:00 (BST), with coverage available on BBC One, the BBC Sport website, ITV, and STV.

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