Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is backing his side in quarter-final tie: ‘I believe we can win’
Thibaut Courtois believes Belgium can upset Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals despite describing the tournament favourites as the stronger side on paper.
The Belgium goalkeeper will face Spain at international level for the first time on Friday, with the winners progressing to a semi-final against either France or Morocco. Courtois acknowledged that, to win, Belgium must produce their best performance of the tournament.
“Spain is a great team – I think they’re one of the favourites to win it,” Courtois said. “So obviously we start as underdogs against them. But in football, everything is possible. I believe that we can win, with all respect. But obviously, they are the favourites.”
However, he pointed to Belgium’s victory over Brazil in the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals as proof that favourites can be beaten.
“They were favoured against us, and maybe they were more individually with more quality in the team,” Courtois said. “But I feel we are a great team all together now, and we are fighting.”
Belgium have reached the quarter-finals after recovering from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2, before defeating USA 4-1 in the last 16. Courtois said those performances had boosted belief within the squad that they can compete with the tournament’s strongest teams.
Spain are right up there among the toughest. They have yet to concede a goal at this World Cup and arrive in the last eight having seen off Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Courtois, who has spent the past 11 years playing club football in Spain with Real Madrid, said his familiarity with many of Spain’s players could prove useful but is far from a serious advantage.
“For me, it helps that I know them, most are from Spanish football, and some from the Champions League as well,” Courtois said. “But at the end of the day, we are playing against Spain, not against Barcelona, City or Arsenal. Everyone knows those players.”
