Spain vs Belgium: Key stats

Spain face Belgium on Friday in a World Cup quarterfinal that pits one of the tournament's smoothest operators against a side emboldened by a thunderous 4-1 win over the United States that followed one of football's most bizarre political interventions. Here are a few highlights to look out for:

**Belgium have failed to beat Spain in their last 11 meetings across all competitions, losing the last five by an aggregate score of 13-1. 

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**This will be their third World Cup meeting and second in the quarterfinals. Belgium advanced on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 1986 last eight, while Spain won the other meeting 2-1 in the group stage four years later. 

**Spain have reached the quarterfinals without conceding in five matches. With this World Cup being the first to feature a Round of 32, they are the first team since Italy in 1990 to reach this stage without conceding. Including their goalless draw against Morocco in Qatar 2022, which they lost on penalties, Spain have kept a record six straight World Cup clean sheets and gone over 10 hours without conceding. 

**Despite becoming only the second Belgian after Marc Wilmots in 2002 to score in three straight World Cup matches, Lukaku is likely to start on the bench again. All three of his goals this tournament have come as a substitute, with only Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored four from the bench in 1990, managing more as a substitute in a single World Cup. 

**Lukaku’s form reflects Belgium’s attacking efficiency. Their 12.1% shot-conversion rate is their second-highest at a World Cup on record since 1966, behind only their 15.2% in 2018. They are also averaging 21.4 shots per game -- 107 in five matches -- second only to their 24 per game in 1970. 

**Spain lost their first four World Cup quarter-finals between 1934 and 2002, but beat Paraguay 1-0 at this stage in 2010 en route to winning the tournament. 

**Yamal has completed 17 dribbles at this World Cup, the most by any player this edition. 

**Rodri has made 80 line-breaking passes this summer, the most by a Spanish player at a World Cup since 2010, when Gerard Piqué made 86, Xavi 89 and Xabi Alonso 126. 

**Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain have progressed from all six of their major-tournament knockout games. 

**With 13 goals, Belgium are second for goals scored at this World Cup, behind France and Argentina, who have 14 each.