Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia believes his side can upset European champions Spain when both teams meet in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final despite being labelled underdogs.
Spain head into the clash in Los Angeles as favourites after an impressive campaign in which they have yet to concede a goal.
Belgium, meanwhile, endured a tougher route to the last eight, finishing top of their group after draws against Egypt and Iran before defeating Senegal to reach the quarter-finals.
Speaking ahead of the match, Garcia said his players were aware that many expected them to be eliminated but insisted they remained confident of causing an upset.
“Everyone is already talking about us going home. But we think that we can do it,” Garcia said.
“We think we can pull it off, and we’re going to do everything we can to get to the semi-finals.”
The Belgian coach also pointed to his team’s attacking record as proof they could trouble Spain.
Belgium have scored 13 goals at the tournament, with only France and Argentina finding the net more often. Garcia also noted that his side have registered 107 shots, second only to France.
Belgium’s confidence received another boost after Monday’s convincing 4-1 victory over the United States in the Round of 16, a result that ended the co-hosts’ World Cup campaign.
Asked whether he expected a hostile atmosphere in Los Angeles because of Belgium’s win over the United States, Garcia dismissed the concern.
“We just beat the US, obviously, and again at a stadium where everyone was against us. So I don’t think the conditions will be any more difficult tomorrow,” he said.
“It’s not the fans that score the goals. We’re going to focus on what we can do. We’ve got enough on our plate with the Spanish squad that is a wonderful footballing team.
“And even if we’re the underdog for tomorrow, we’re going to do everything we can to give them a run for their money.”
Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku echoed his manager’s confidence, insisting Belgium have the quality to compete with Spain.
“If you manage to get this far, then you’re not going to play a game just to go home,” Lukaku said.
“I think we also have the necessary talent. Tomorrow we need to play the perfect game.”
