'Everyone' expects Spain to beat us, says Belgium coach
Belgium's head coach Rudi Garcia remains optimistic ahead of their World Cup quarter-final match against Spain. Despite being considered the underdog, Garcia believes his team can overcome the odds and reach the semi-finals.
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Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia talks during a news conference on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against New Zealand, Jun 25, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo: AP/Abbie Parr)
LOS ANGELES: Coach Rudi Garcia said "everyone" expects his Belgium team to be eliminated by Spain in Friday's (Jul 10) World Cup quarter-final, but backed his side to pull off a famous victory.
European champions Spain enter the match in Los Angeles as strong favourites, having not conceded a goal all tournament.
Belgium have had a more testing time of it, only narrowly topping their group after two draws with Egypt and Iran, and requiring a late comeback to dispatch Senegal.
But at a press conference Thursday, Garcia appeared to relish being dubbed the "underdog".
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