Belgium gains millions of new fans ahead of World Cup quarter-final against Spain

Belgium's national football team, led by coach Rudi Garcia, is set to face Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday at the Los Angeles Stadium. Following a recent victory against the USA, Belgium has reportedly gained "millions and millions" of new supporters, a boost attributed to Donald Trump's intervention regarding player Folarin Balogun's red card.

Belgium's Newfound Support Ahead of the Quarter-Final

Rudi Garcia highlighted the surge in support for Belgium's national team after Trump lobbied FIFA to overturn Balogun's red card, which had initially put his participation in jeopardy. Despite the controversy, Belgium triumphed over the USA with a score of 4-1, showcasing their offensive capabilities.

Garcia expressed confidence in his team's performance, stating, "Everyone is talking about us going home, but we can do it." He emphasized that the influx of new fans will provide the team with incredible strength during their match against Spain, which is expected to be a challenging encounter.

Romelu Lukaku: Belgium's Secret Weapon

Among the team's strengths is star striker Romelu Lukaku, who Garcia believes instills fear in opposing teams. "When he comes on, opponents are quaking in their boots," Garcia remarked. Lukaku has scored three goals in the tournament, contributing significantly to Belgium's offensive strategy.

Despite limited playing time at Napoli this season, Lukaku's performance on the international stage has been impressive, with an astonishing 93 goals for the national team. Garcia noted that Lukaku's experience and ability could be pivotal in securing a win against Spain.

Facing a Strong Spanish Team

As Belgium prepares to face Spain, Garcia acknowledges the formidable challenge posed by the Spanish squad. He stated, "We know we are playing one of the favorites and we know the strength they have as individuals and as a collective." With Spain's strong defensive record, Belgium will need to execute their game plan effectively to break through.

Garcia also highlighted the importance of teamwork and adaptability. "I have two XIs: one that starts the game and one that finishes it," he explained, indicating that Belgium has depth and quality to tackle different match scenarios. The team aims to prove their critics wrong and advance further in the tournament.