DALLAS — Spain are the only team yet to concede at the FIFA World Cup 2026 heading into the quarterfinals, and that rock-solid defensive record has left fullback Marc Cucurella convinced his team has a strong platform to chase the title.
Spain booked their place in the quarterfinals after edging Portugal 1-0 on Mikel Merino’s late goal in the round of 16 at Dallas Stadium in the United States on Tuesday. The win extended their clean-sheet streak to five straight matches.
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“Big teams and title contenders are the ones that defend very well. That’s what we’re building. It’s not just the defenders and the goalkeeper, but the whole team: how we press, how we close passing lanes, and how we communicate,” Cucurella said, according to FIFA’s official website.
Cucurella has been one of the key pillars of La Furia Roja. He has started all five of Spain’s matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Along with helping keep the net untouched, the player who will wear Real Madrid’s colors next season has also contributed three assists in attack.
Of Spain’s five matches so far, only Cape Verde have managed to hold them, doing so in a goalless draw in the opening game of Group H. In the rest, Spain have looked dominant and disciplined at the back.
Belgium Awaits in the Quarterfinals
“If we keep getting clean sheets, we will always be closer to winning,” Cucurella said, underscoring the team’s approach. His belief is backed by history, with sturdy defending often forming the foundation for World Cup champions.
In the quarterfinals, Spain will face Belgium, who just knocked out host nation the United States 4-1. The match is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at 2:00 a.m. WIB (Western Indonesia Time) at Los Angeles Stadium in the United States.
The meeting with Belgium will be a serious test for Spain’s back line. If they can keep another clean sheet, La Furia Roja will not only move into the semifinals, but also strengthen their status as one of the strongest contenders for the FIFA World Cup 2026 crown.
History and Defense as the Foundation
The five-match shutout run has become an important base for Spain’s ambitions. In World Cup history, disciplined defenses have often carried teams deep into the tournament and, in many cases, all the way to the trophy.
La Furia Roja, a team that has already lifted the World Cup once before, know well that balance between attack and defense is essential in the knockout rounds. Keeping the net clean not only brings peace of mind, but also piles pressure on opponents struggling to break through.
If Spain can maintain that solidity through the decisive stages, they could again push toward the final rounds and fight for the most coveted trophy in world football.
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