Spain have been vastly spectacular of their 5-0 victory over Portugal. It is already clear how significantly better they’re this time than they have been on the 2022 European Championship, when England beat them within the quarter-finals, and they’re solely simply getting began at this match.
A number of groups have seen modifications in personnel since that match, and the 2023 World Cup, however none of them have improved to the extent that Spain have.
We noticed in opposition to Portugal what occurs when a workforce doesn’t adapt in any respect to the dominant method Spain play – you need to acknowledge you aren’t going to see a lot of the ball, sit off them and play on the counter, however Portugal didn’t actually try this and paid the worth.
I’m not anticipating Belgium to make the identical mistake, however it’s nonetheless arduous to see them getting something out of this recreation. Shedding to Italy was an enormous blow to their hopes of getting out of the group, and that is clearly a a lot tougher job.
Belgium have performed Spain 4 occasions previously few months, within the Nations League and in qualifying for these Euros, and misplaced each time.
A few these defeats have been heavy ones, however Belgium did trigger them a couple of issues at occasions too.
I’m not certain how shut they’ll get to the world champions this time, however a minimum of they know what to anticipate.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: 2-0
