Spain vs. Belgium player ratings: Live grades for Lamine Yamal, others in 2026 World Cup quarterfinal

Two teams vying for a spot in the last four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup do battle as tournament favorites Spain take on fellow top-10 European side Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.

Lamine Yamal has yet to fully get into high gear, still less than fully fit thanks to a hamstring injury at the end of the club season. Instead, it has been Spain's back line which has carried them through the tournament, yet to concede a single goal the entire World Cup thus far.

Belgium, meanwhile, are coming off a thorough demolition of co-hosts United States in their stronghold of Seattle, an impressive performance that anoints the Red Devils as dangerous challengers to any World Cup title hopeful.

The Sporting News brings you a full list of player ratings for the match, analyzing both team's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

LIVE: Follow Spain vs. Belgium updates from 2026 World Cup quarterfinal

Spain vs. Belgium live score

Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)

Spain starting lineup:

4-2-3-1, right to left: 23. Simon (GK) — 12. Porro, 22. Cubarsi, 14. Laporte, 24. Cucurella — 16. Rodri, 8. F. Ruiz — 19. Lamine Yamal, 10. Olmo, 15. Baena — 21. Oyarzabal.

Belgium starting lineup:

4-2-3-1, right to left: 1. Courtois (GK) — 21. Castagne, 25. Ngoy, 4. Mechele, 5. De Cuyper — 23. Raskin, 8. Tielemans — 11. Doku, 7. De Bruyne, 10. Trossard — 17. De Ketelaere.

Spain player ratings vs. Belgium

All ratings are on a 10-point scale.

Starters

Goalkeeper: Unai Simon — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Right-back: Pedro Porro — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Right Center-back: Pau Cubarsi — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Left center-back: Aymeric Laporte — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Left-back: Lucas Digne — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Central midfielder: Rodri — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Central midfielder: Fabian Ruiz — Grade pending

The PSG man started in place of Pedri, a big call by head coach Luis de la Fuente.

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Right wing: Lamine Yamal — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Attacking midfielder: Dani Olmo — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Left wing: Alex Baena — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Striker: Mikel Oyarzabal — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Spain substitutes vs. Belgium

This section will be updated later in the match when substitutes enter off the bench and look to make an impact.

Spain coach vs. Belgium

Luis de la Fuente: Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis and commentary after the match has concluded and a proper assessment of the head coach's tactics and substitutions can be made.

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Belgium player ratings vs. Spain

Starters

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Right-back: Timothy Castagne — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Right center-back: Nathan Ngoy — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Left center-back: Brandon Mechele — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Left-back: Maxime De Cuyper — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Central midfielder: NIcolas Raskin — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Central midfielder: Youri Tielemans — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Right wing: Jeremy Doku — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Attacking midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Left wing: Leandro Trossard — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Striker: Charles De Ketelaere — Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.

Belgium substitutes vs. Spain

This section will be updated later in the match when substitutes enter off the bench and look to make an impact.

Belgium coach vs. Spain

Rudi Garcia: Grade pending

This section will be updated with analysis and commentary after the match has concluded and a proper assessment of the head coach's tactics and substitutions can be made.