The Spanish men's national football team engaged in an innovative training session that blended soccer and tennis as they prepare for their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal clash against Belgium. The match is scheduled for July 11 at 12:30 AM IST in California, USA.
Spain's Semifinal Quest
Spain aims to reach the World Cup semifinals for the first time since their championship-winning campaign in 2010. Belgium, the 2018 bronze medalists, are also targeting a semifinal berth, with veterans Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne providing leadership.
The Soccer-Tennis Drill
During training, Spanish players were seen on the pitch with a tennis net placed across it. Players on both sides of the net traded rallies using their feet and heads, mimicking tennis strokes but with soccer techniques. The official Spanish football federation (Sefutbol) posted on Instagram: "This isn't soccer-tennis. We're in Hollywood. THIS IS CINEMA."
Dani Olmo's Pre-Match Comments
Spain and Barcelona star Dani Olmo stated: "We face every match as if it were a final, and that is how Luis (de la Fuente, the head coach) tells us. The most important match is the one that is coming up." He emphasized that maintaining a 35-match unbeaten streak is not the goal; the real aim is to "win it all" and earn a second star on their shirts.
Lamine Yamal's Impact
Olmo praised 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who arrived at the World Cup with a hamstring injury and began the tournament on the bench. Yamal scored in the second group stage match against Saudi Arabia and delivered a solid performance against Portugal in the round of 16, despite not scoring. He had three attempts on goal, two on target, and kept Spain's attack flowing. Olmo said: "I see Lamine doing well. He is gaining confidence... He wants to prove himself, and he is going to give us a lot."
Defensive Record
In the round of 16 victory over Portugal, Spain became the first team in World Cup history to record six consecutive clean sheets. Goalkeeper Unai Simon has gone 609 minutes without conceding a goal, an all-time World Cup record. Olmo commented: "We are very happy about Unai's record, and hopefully we can keep a clean sheet."
Spain's path to the semifinals hinges on their balanced approach, with Olmo noting that "all attack and defend" as a unit. The team treats every match as a final, and with Yamal's rising form and a rock-solid defense, they aim to replicate their 2010 glory.
