Spain has made history by advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1950, showcasing a defensive mastery that has kept them unbeaten in five matches.

The team’s current squad, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, has embraced a possession-based strategy reminiscent of their 2010 championship-winning group, which dominated with 1,000 passes per game.Despite their recent success, fans remain cautious, reflecting Spain’s historical struggles to progress beyond the knockout stages.

The team’s goalkeeper, Unai Simón, has kept a tournament-record 609 minutes clean sheet, contributing to an unbeaten run of 35 matches for the national team.Spain’s upcoming quarter-final against Belgium marks a critical test, as they aim to reach the semi-finals for only the second time in their history.

The squad’s resilience is underscored by their ability to overcome challenges, including a goalless draw against Cape Verde and a dramatic late win over Portugal.

If they advance past Belgium, Spain could face France or England, with potential matchups echoing past encounters like Euro 2024 and the Nations League final.

However, de la Fuente emphasizes focusing solely on the immediate challenge of defeating Belgium, avoiding distractions from hypothetical future matches.