2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions: Spain vs. Belgium (Friday)
Spain and Belgium meet in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, and I'm highlighting the best bets for the game. After shutting out Portugal, Spain has now played five matches without conceding a goal at this World Cup. Can a Belgian offense that has scored at least three goals in three consecutive matches break through against the Spaniards? Here are the best 2026 World Cup picks for Friday’s quarterfinal matchup: Spain vs. Belgium.
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Friday’s Best 2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions: Spain vs. Belgium
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Spain vs. Belgium
Belgium is a very difficult team to figure out. The Belgians scored just one goal in their first two matches before laying five on New Zealand in their final group-stage game.
While they scored three times against Senegal, the first goal didn't come until the 86th minute. And though Belgium scored four times against the United States, the American defense made numerous mistakes that Spain won't make.
But with Romelu Lukaku on your team, there's always a chance of scoring. And as amazing as Spain’s defense has been, Portugal had some chances. Cristiano Ronaldo put two shots on target, and there were numerous early opportunities when Portuguese players just weren't in the right place at the right time.
What's fascinating is that Belgium over 0.5 goals is listed at -195 odds, while Spain over 0.5 goals is listed at -940. If you parlay those two props, the price is -175. Yet, the price for both teams to score is set at -120. Therefore, I'm recommending both teams to score as my first play of this game.
For my final play, I'm backing Lamine Yamal against a struggling Belgian defense. While Yamal has just one goal at this World Cup, he's been a very active member of Spain’s offense, with nine shots, six of which were on target, in his last two games.
Yamal has started the last four games for Spain, and he's failed to record multiple shots on target just once during that span. While Mikel Oyarzabal is getting most of the headlines, with four goals thus far, Yamal remains an unbelievably dangerous player.
Additionally, the Belgians have just one clean sheet at this World Cup and have conceded four goals in their last three games.
Picks: Both Teams to Score (-120) & Lamine Yamal Anytime Goalscorer (+140)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.