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Courtois Faces Unbeaten Spain in Quarterfinal; Winner Meets France

7/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Thibaut Courtois will face Spain for the first time in his international career in Friday’s quarter-final at SoFi Stadium.
Spain enter the match unbeaten and with a clean sheet.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called Belgium his side’s toughest test.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said his team believes it can upset the European champions.
The winner will meet France in the semi-final on Tuesday.

History

Historical Context

Euro 2008, hosted jointly by Austria and Switzerland from 7–29 June 2008, marked Spain’s first major trophy since 1964 and the first team to win the tournament undefeated since Germany in 1996. Spain kept five straight clean sheets, conceding only two goals, before beating Germany 1-0 in Vienna. Belgium now faces that unbeaten side in the quarter-final.

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Story summary

Thibaut Courtois will face Spain for the first time in his international career in Friday’s quarter-final at SoFi Stadium.
Spain enter the match unbeaten and with a clean sheet.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called Belgium his side’s toughest test.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said his team believes it can upset the European champions.
The winner will meet France in the semi-final on Tuesday.

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