Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is backing his side to spring a shock at the World Cup, insisting they can upset Spain in today’s quarter-final after finally showing signs of their best form.
“Everybody in our team understands that it can be done. We’ve got a strong group with attributes that Spain will need to factor in,” Courtois said to reporters. “There are surprises in every tournament — in the Champions League, the Europa League, the World Cup.
“There are always surprises, and I believe we can be one of them. Beating the European champions would naturally be a massive shock. The belief is there,” he added after Belgium’s 4-1 win over co-hosts the United States in Seattle on Monday.
Belgium’s route to the knockout rounds was far from smooth in the group stage. They scraped through after finishing top of the standings, ending with a 5-1 triumph over New Zealand in their final match, following earlier draws against Egypt and Iran.
In the round of 16, they needed a major turnaround against Senegal. Belgium were two goals down with just five minutes remaining in regulation, but they pushed the game into extra time and then claimed a 3-2 win, sealing it with a last-minute penalty.
“Some people were frustrated with how we played, but we’ve corrected that. We’re improving all the time,” Courtois said.
Courtois acknowledged Spain’s status as the clear frontrunners. “Spain are the favourites, of course. They’re excellent when they have the ball, and when they lose possession they press quickly. That’s where the deciding factor is: being able to attack the space behind their defence straight away.”
Spain advanced to the quarter-final with a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the last 16 after a late strike from substitute Mikel Merino in the 91st minute on Monday.
Courtois pointed to that goal as a window into Spain’s strengths. “The score against Portugal shows what they’re good at. We also know Lamine Yamal is exceptionally gifted in one-on-one situations; he’s quick, agile, and can take on two players if he has to.”
Courtois — widely regarded as one of the world’s top goalkeepers — is well aware of the Spanish challenge from personal experience, having played for Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
“I’ve lived in Spain for 11 years, so yes, that’s a long time. Everything runs on a slightly later timetable there, and the weather is better too. But in the end, I’m still Belgian.
“Spain is like a second home to me, and I’ll probably keep living there after my career finishes. I also have two children who are naturally more Spanish than Belgian, but when it comes to tomorrow’s match, it’s all about Belgium,” Courtois concluded.
