Quarterfinal Stakes Set as Heavyweights Converge

France opens the quarterfinal schedule on 9 July against Morocco, a side fresh from a dominant 3-0 dispatch of Canada. While France remains the clear favorite, having cruised through the tournament with minimal defensive pressure, Morocco enters the fixture with the pedigree of a 2022 World Cup semifinal run. The French squad, seeking to build on their 2018 title and back-to-back final appearances, faces a stern test in breaking down a Moroccan defense that has proven difficult to unsettle.

On 10 July, Spain meets Belgium in a tactical clash of styles. Spain’s confidence is surging following a 3-0 win over Austria and a gritty victory against Portugal, bolstered by the form of Mikel Oyarzabal, who has netted four goals. Lamine Yamal continues his return to full fitness, adding depth to the Spanish attack. Opposite them, Belgium arrives with momentum fueled by a dramatic late comeback against Senegal. The matchup hinges on whether Spain can dictate possession or if Belgium, led by the clinical finishing of Romelu Lukaku, can exploit the transition phases to punch their ticket to the semifinals.