Olmo declares Spain contenders ahead of Belgium quarter-final

Spain vs Belgium: Friday, a semifinal spot on the line

Your team faces Belgium in the World Cup quarter-final Friday. Spain arrive as clear favourites after knocking out Portugal 1–0 in the Round of 16 on a Mikel Merino goal deep in added time. Belgium, by contrast, are dealing with frustration off the pitch, they have complained about training ground conditions at the World Cup, and FIFA granted them an exception to switch facilities (5).

The predicted Spanish lineup points to Ferran Torres, Pedri, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal all starting (1). Oyarzabal, Baena, and Pino are expected to be available from the bench. Victor Muñoz has yet to see a minute at this tournament.

Dani Olmo: "We consider ourselves contenders, denying it would be dishonest"

Dani Olmo did not sidestep the pressure ahead of Friday. "Nos consideramos candidatos, negarlo sería faltar a la verdad", we consider ourselves contenders, denying it would be dishonest (2). It is the kind of clarity you want from your No. 10 before a quarter-final.

Olmo also spoke to MARCA about what he learned playing in Croatia. "La mentalidad croata, su gen competitivo, se me quedó muy grabada," he said, the Croatian mentality, their competitive gene, stayed with me deeply (6). He is channeling that now.

Courtois: Spain are favourites, but Belgium believe

Thibaut Courtois gave your team its due. "Spain is a great team. I think they're one of the favourites to win it. So obviously we start as underdogs against them," the Belgium goalkeeper said (3) (4). Then he added the edge: "But in football, everything is possible. I believe that we can win."

Belgium have De Ketelaere, Doku, Trossard, and Lukaku, talent that can hurt anyone on the break (1). Courtois himself is the kind of goalkeeper who can steal a knockout game. Underdogs or not, they will not roll over.