The quarter final stage of any World Cup is where the squeaky bum time truly begins, and this afternoon's clash between Spain and Belgium in the Ameri...
The quarter final stage of any World Cup is where the squeaky bum time truly begins, and this afternoon's clash between Spain and Belgium in the American heat carries the weight of a nation's expectation on both shoulders. The winner doesn't just book a semi final place; they earn the right to face a French machine that looks increasingly ominous. Didier Deschamps' side, as our man Jonathan Wilson observed from Boston, are finding a way to win even when they are not entirely convincing. That is the hallmark of a champion, and it casts a long shadow over this tie.Spain, as ever, will look to dominate possession and dictate the rhythm. But Belgium, with their golden generation now greyer at the temples, have shown a pragmatic edge in this tournament. They know you cannot try to play through Spain's press for ninety minutes without getting picked off. The question is whether their low block can hold firm when La Roja inevitably crank up the tempo in the final third. Do they have the legs for one more heroic defensive shift, or will the transitional play of a younger Spanish side prove too sharpThe tactical battle will be fascinating, but the psychological one is just as important. Knowing that your prize for winning this game is a date with Mbappé and company can play tricks on the mind. You either fuel yourself on the challenge or you freeze at the prospect. Deschamps was right to warn of the need to be more clinical, and that warning should ring in the ears of every Spanish and Belgian player today. Clinical finishing, not just pretty patterns, is what separates the quarter finalists from the champions. Expect a nervy, cagey first half where neither side wants to make the first mistake. The football might be tight, but the stakes are GoalZaza high.For the neutrals, this is a contest of styles and wills. For the victor, a date with destiny and a French team that has not yet been asked the truly hard questions. Kick off is at 8pm BST, and you can follow every pass, tackle, and moment of drama right here with GoalZaza.
