Spain vs Belgium: World Cup Rivalry and Recent Encounters

Three-quarters of the World Cup quarterfinalists are from Europe, leading to matchups featuring only European teams. England and Norway are meeting for the first time at the World Cup, but Spain and Belgium have a history that goes back several decades.

These two countries have clashed twice at the World Cup and many times outside it. They know each other well, though they haven’t met recently in a competitive setting. Below is an overview of their history as they prepare to meet again on football’s biggest stage.

Historical Head-to-Head Record

The two sides have played 22 matches in total, with 10 of those since 1986. Their World Cup meetings include two encounters, the last one taking place in 1990. Their most recent game was a friendly in 2016.

Spain leads the overall series, winning most of their meetings including the last five games. The last time Belgium came out ahead was in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals. That match ended officially as a draw, but Belgium advanced after winning on penalties. Four years later, Spain beat Belgium in a group stage game.

Overall Results

The all-time record shows Spain with 12 wins, Belgium with 5, and 5 draws stretching back to 1921. These teams have not faced off since 2016 and haven’t met in a competitive match since 2009, when Spain thrashed Belgium 5-0 in World Cup qualifying.

Belgium has not won against Spain since that 1986 quarterfinal victory. Although they drew in a European Qualifier in 1995, Spain has largely dominated the rivalry over the past 40 years.

Belgium’s so-called “golden generation,” which emerged in the early 2010s, has only played Spain once—and that was not in a crucial fixture.

In World Cup play, the record is tied 1-1 between the two nations.

Last Five Matches Between Spain and Belgium

Across these five games dating back to 2004, Spain has scored 13 goals while Belgium has managed just one.

The Most Recent Meeting

The teams last met on September 1, 2016, in an international friendly. It was the only occasion where Belgium’s golden generation faced Spain, with Spain winning 2-0. David Silva netted both goals, scoring first in the 34th minute and then converting a penalty in the 62nd.

This match also marked Spain manager Julen Lopetegui’s first win. His tenure ended abruptly before the 2018 World Cup due to his plans to manage Real Madrid.