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The Spain vs Belgium clash presents the ideal moment for Lamine Yamal to make his mark at the 2026 World Cup.

While this quarter-final may not be the most high-profile fixture of the round, it is far from a predictable outcome.

Spain boast arguably the strongest defence in the tournament, yet Belgium’s determination and attacking unpredictability could still pose a major challenge.

The Red Devils’ so-called Golden Generation has long been considered one of the biggest under-achievers in recent World Cup history, though this year’s breakout story has surprisingly come from Spain’s Lamine Yamal.

Belgium, once the world’s top-ranked team, have consistently failed to make an impact on the World Cup stage, even during their peak years.

Today, this team looks very different — a younger, less star-studded group, but one that plays with freedom, unburdened by the heavy expectations that once weighed on their predecessors.

Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal, who finished second in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, has performed well below his lofty standards so far.

Many expected the Barcelona youngster to dominate this tournament individually, but his displays have been underwhelming to say the least.

Belgium opened their group stage campaign with two draws, but a memorable comeback win over Senegal ignited their run, followed by a scintillating performance against the USA in the Round of 16.

The Red Devils appear to be peaking at the right time, but the question remains — can Yamal rise to the occasion as well?

Spain’s defensive solidity will demand something special from Belgium to break through, yet Spain’s own attacking talisman has been missing in action across North America and must rediscover his spark for his side to advance.

The formula for Spain’s potential downfall is straightforward: a lacklustre showing from Yamal and ruthless finishing from Belgium.

If both these elements don’t align, it’s likely Spain will edge their way into the semi-finals.

However, if Belgium’s key creators, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, step up while Yamal continues to struggle, the Red Devils could very well seize their opportunity.

The Barcelona wonderkid thrives under pressure, and FourFourTwo believes he will deliver when it matters most.

Prediction: Spain 2-1 Belgium

Goalscorers: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Kevin De Bruyne