After the World Cup quarterfinals opened with a relatively drama-free win for France over Morocco, the scene shifts from Gillette Stadium to AT&T Stadium as Spain takes on Belgium for the right to face Les Bleus in the semifinals. A Belgian win sets up a repeat of the 2018 semis, a match France won en route to a second championship. Spain haven’t been this close since winning the whole thing in 2010.
This will be the 23rd meeting between the UEFA foes, with Spain holding a 12-5-5 advantage. But it’s the first time they’ve faced each other since Spain beat Belgium 2-0 in a friendly in Brussels on September 1, 2016. It’s a rematch of the 1986 quarterfinal in Mexico, a match that finished 1-1 before Belgium emerged in penalties to move on to the semifinals against Argentina.
Spain vs. Belgium, 3 p.m ET, Arlington | Winner faces France July 14 in Arlington
How Spain got to the quarterfinal
Spain remains the only remaining team in the tournament that has not conceded a goal. After soaring past Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32, La Roja had to do it the hard way against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the Round of 16. Mikel Merino’s goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time led them to a 1-0 win over their Iberian rivals in Arlington.
How Belgium got to the quarterfinal
Belgium, which drew Egypt and Iran before blowing past New Zealand to win Group G, needed a controversial late penalty from Youri Tielemans to beat Senegal deep into extra time, a match Senegal led 2-0 with less than five minutes left in normal time. Five days later, it defeated a listless United States 4-1 to advance to the final eight.
Where to watch Spain vs. Belgium
FOX/FOX One (English); Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish)
Metro Atlanta World Cup festivities are carrying on all throughout the tournament. Here’s a list of places you can watch all the World Cup action, along with a map.
If you’re headed to Atlanta to see July 15’s semifinal in person, check out our World Cup guide, which gives you information on where to stay, what to do, see, and eat, along with how to get around using MARTA.