Courtois confident 'underdogs' Belgium can upset Spain in World Cup quarters

Thibaut Courtois believes 'underdogs' Belgium have what it takes to defeat Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Belgium booked their place in the last eight with an emphatic 4-1 victory over co-hosts the United States, following the unlikeliest of turnarounds against Senegal in the round of 32.

This will be the third World Cup match between Spain and Belgium, and second at the quarter-final stage, after the Red Devils progressed on penalties in 1986 after a 1-1 draw (also a 2-1 Spain group stage win in 1990).

Belgium have progressed from two of their three previous World Cup quarter-finals, eliminating Spain on penalties in 1986 and beating Brazil 2-1 in 2018. Their one defeat at this stage came in 2014, going down 1-0 to Argentina.

However, Spain (21.3%) are the Opta supercomputer's second-favourites to win the competition, after France (26.9%).

While Courtois also labelled Spain as one of the favourites to lift the trophy next week, he has full confidence he and his Belgium team-mates can reach the last four.

"Spain is a great team. I think they're one of the favourites to win it," said Courtois.

"So obviously we start as underdogs against them. But in football, everything is possible. I believe that we can win, with all respect. But obviously, they are the favourite.

"For me, it helps that I know them, most are from Spanish football, and some from the Champions League as well. But at the end of the day, we are playing against Spain, not against Barca, City, or Arsenal. Everyone knows those players."

Belgium are averaging 21.4 shots per game at this year’s World Cup (107 shots in five games), only averaging more on record (from 1966) in 1970 (24.0).

Indeed, their shot conversion rate in 2026 of 12.1% is also their second-highest on record, behind only 2018 (15.2%).