Rudi Garcia’s bold calls have Belgium dreaming before Spain quarter-final in Los Angeles | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Belgium have already met an ambitious target by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals and, under Rudi Garcia, now dare to look further. They face Spain in Los Angeles on Friday at 21:00 as underdogs, much as they did before beating Brazil 2-1 in 2018.

Their rise has been shaped by growing cohesion despite Amadou Onana’s serious right-knee injury. Confidence is evident, if efficiency and discipline accompany their display.

Across the past year and a half, Garcia has secured top-tier Nations League status, World Cup qualification and first place in the group to stay in Seattle, while restoring attacking verve, the tournament’s second-best return with 13 goals. Belgium are unbeaten since a Nations League play-off first leg against Ukraine that ended 1-3, a run of 12 wins and six draws.

Selection now rewards form and fit. Garcia withdrew Kevin De Bruyne during the last 32 win over Senegal, 3-2 after extra time, then left him on the bench for the 4-1 last 16 victory against the United States, the scoreline allowing extra recovery that could serve against Spain.

He also backed Romelu Lukaku, who had only 64 minutes this season, and the striker has become the competition’s most lethal supersub with three goals. Jérémy Doku missed the group stage during seven days of recovery from a respiratory infection and was held back until the 67th minute against the USA, with hopes he rediscovers his sharp dribbling at the right moment.

Meritocracy has defined the campaign, with 21 of 26 used, Thibaut Courtois included, and Nathan Ngoy returning against the USA after suspension versus Senegal. The unused players are Senne Lammens, Mike Penders, Zeno Debast, Joaquin Seys and Koni De Winter.

Source: L'Équipe