Lamine Yamal is one breakout performance away from taking control of this World Cup. Thibaut Courtois is determined to make sure it does not happen in Los Angeles.
The 18-year-old arrived in North America short of rhythm after an April hamstring injury ended his club season. He sat out most of Spain’s 0-0 opener against Cape Verde, then scored at the back post in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. His sharpest display came in the 3-0 knockout victory over Austria. Against Portugal, he contributed in a different way, pressing, tracking back and taking three shots during a tense 1-0 win.
Spain have reached the quarterfinals without conceding and have controlled 66% of possession across the tournament. Yamal has only one goal, yet every opponent still builds its defensive plan around him.
Belgium are no different. As the warm Los Angeles air settles over the stadium and the noise rises whenever Yamal receives the ball, Courtois knows his defenders will have little room for hesitation. One missed assignment could decide the quarterfinal.
Courtois Knows the Trap, Not the Outcome
Speaking to reporters before Belgium trained in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Courtois described a player who can beat the first challenge, escape a second and still find the final pass. His answer was direct. Belgium must stay close, delay Yamal and create a numerical advantage before he turns toward goal.
Maxim De Cuyper is the likely first defender on Belgium’s left side. He cannot chase every feint or lunge at the ball. His job is to keep Yamal near the touchline long enough for help to arrive from midfield or from Arthur Theate inside.
Courtois believes that support will be essential. He said Belgium must create a two-on-one situation whenever possible because no single defender can be expected to contain Yamal for an entire match.
That sounds manageable in a meeting room. On the field, Yamal can change pace in a single step. He can drive outside, cut onto his left foot or slip a pass behind the defender who has moved across to help. Courtois understands the danger because he has faced Yamal in Spain, but knowing the move is coming does not guarantee anyone can stop it.
Onana’s Injury Changes Belgium’s Defensive Plan
Belgium must build that trap without Amadou Onana. The midfielder ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the 4-1 win over the United States and will miss the rest of the tournament. His absence removes Belgium’s most natural ball winner from the center of the pitch and takes away a midfielder with the strength and range to cover De Cuyper without leaving large spaces behind him.
Rudi Garcia can turn to Nicolas Raskin, Hans Vanaken or Youri Tielemans, but each option changes the balance. Raskin offers energy and pressure, while Vanaken brings size and calm possession. Tielemans can move the ball forward, though asking him to spend the afternoon covering Yamal would weaken Belgium’s own attack.
The support defender must also arrive at exactly the right moment. Move too early and Yamal can release Pedri or Dani Olmo into the space inside. Arrive too late and Belgium may be asking Courtois to rescue them from another close-range chance.
Spain Can Punish the Crowd Around Yamal
Spain do not need Yamal to score to control the game. His presence drags defenders toward the right flank and opens lanes for teammates who have carried much of the scoring load.
Mikel Oyarzabal has four goals in the tournament. Against Austria, he side-footed Marc Cucurella’s low cross for the opener, then finished a flowing move after making a late run through the middle. Those are the spaces Belgium risk surrendering when a midfielder leaves his position to help against Yamal.
Pedri can punish the first loose pass. Olmo can receive between the lines, while Pedro Porro can overlap when De Cuyper gets pulled inside. Spain’s 66% possession rate also means Belgium may spend long periods shifting from side to side without touching the ball. Sitting too deep simply invites more Spanish pressure.
Belgium’s best escape is the counterattack Courtois has already identified. Jérémy Doku can attack the space behind Spain’s fullbacks, while Charles De Ketelaere arrives with confidence after scoring twice against the United States. Romelu Lukaku offers a direct option from the bench if Belgium need to bypass Spain’s press.
It is a classic tactical gamble. Belgium need extra defenders around Yamal, but those same players must be ready to break forward as soon as possession changes. Rushing the counterattack will only return the ball to Spain.
Yamal’s Biggest Test Is Patience
Belgium’s strategy aims to frustrate Yamal first and stop him second. De Cuyper will close quickly, Raskin can slide across and Theate may step out whenever the winger moves inside. Contact will come early, and clean shooting lanes will be rare.
Yamal will need to keep his cool when the challenges start arriving. Forcing dribbles against two defenders would play into Belgium’s plan. Moving the ball quickly, changing position and attacking again before the defensive block resets would make the trap much harder to maintain.
His performance against Portugal showed that he can influence a knockout game without dominating the highlights. De la Fuente praised his pressing, defensive work and willingness to suffer for the team. That maturity matters now because Belgium will test his patience as much as his technique.
The winner moves on to face France in the semifinal. Spain have the deeper structure, the cleaner defensive record and greater control of the ball. Belgium have Courtois, transition speed and a plan built around denying one teenager his stage.
Every touch Yamal takes near the penalty area will sharpen the noise inside the stadium. Belgian defenders will close around him, Spanish runners will attack the spaces they leave, and Courtois will watch the entire move unfold from his goal.
Belgium can crowd Yamal’s lane for 89 minutes. One late step, one clean turn or one flash of his left foot could still deliver the World Cup moment he believes is coming.
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FAQs
Q1. How many goals has Lamine Yamal scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Lamine Yamal has scored one goal in the tournament. He found the net during Spain’s 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
Q2. How does Belgium plan to stop Lamine Yamal?
Belgium plan to keep a defender close to Yamal and provide quick support. Courtois believes they must create two-on-one situations around him.
Q3. Why is Amadou Onana unavailable against Spain?
Onana ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Belgium’s 4-1 win over the United States. The injury ended his World Cup campaign.
Q4. How many goals has Mikel Oyarzabal scored at the World Cup?
Oyarzabal has scored four goals. His movement and finishing have helped Spain while opponents concentrate on Yamal.
Q5. Who will Spain or Belgium face in the semifinal?
The winner of the quarterfinal will face France in the World Cup semifinal.
