The Spain World Cup 2026 campaign stayed on course as they beat Portugal 1-0 in their Round of 16 match, as La Roja have now won their last four matches and will take on Belgium in a high-voltage quarter-final clash.
The Spain World Cup 2026 team is one of the strongest in the tournament, and Mikel Merino’s injury-time goal in the Spain vs Portugal match underlined their fantastic squad depth.
Spain World Cup 2026 Campaign: La Roja’s Fantastic Squad Depth
The Spain World Cup 2026 campaign hung in the balance against Portugal as the match threatened to go to extra time. However, substitutes Ferran Torres and Miel Merino combined well, as the latter scored the match-winner.
Before that, Spain had taken off players like Alex Baena, Dani Olmo and Pedri, with Olmo having a good match and being unlucky not to have registered at least an assist, as Ferran Torres, Fabian Ruiz and Merino came in for the above players.
Pedri plays for Spain in a deeper role than he does at Barcelona, which reduces his ability to combine at the top end of the pitch.
Both Pedri and Lamine Yamal benefit from Barca playing a high line frequently, as it means that the former’s crosses are more regularly met inside the opposition penalty box.
In the Spain vs Portugal match, there were often occasions when crosses from the right by either Yamal or Pedro Porro were not met by any player inside the box.
In addition to that, Alex Baena did not do much on the left flank aside from taking a shot that was saved wonderfully by Diego Costa in the Portuguese goal.
Ferran Torres’ introduction meant that Spain made more entries into the Portuguese penalty box through the middle, courtesy of his fantastic dashing runs.
Then, there was Merino, Spain’s all-purpose man, who played a wonderful one-two with Torres to get into the box and then slot the ball past Costa.
It was Merino’s 11th goal in 48 matches for Spain, and it dealt a hammer blow to Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup last dance.
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Spain World Cup 2026: A Quarter-Final Clash Against Belgium Awaits
In the quarter-finals, Spain will take on Belgium, who thrashed the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16. The Spain World Cup 2026 hopes will be tested severely against Kevin de Bruyne and co, who seem to be peaking at the right time.
However, Spain’s unquestionable squad depth will continue to give Luis de la Fuente a lot of hope. The Spaniards have not conceded a goal in the tournament yet, and their defence looks rock-solid in the presence of Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi.
As the Spaniards remain the only team not to let in any goal yet, the Belgians will have an arduous task in their hands. De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku, however, might pose a serious threat to the Spanish defence.
As of now, the European Champions probably remain the second-favourites to win the title behind a brilliant France side. A France vs Spain semi-final cannot be ruled out at the moment, which will be a mouth-watering clash if it takes place.
Spain have a very solid chance of winning their second World Cup title, and their performances so far have been quite deserving of becoming champions.
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