France Tops World Cup Rankings With 34% Title Odds and 6 Wins in 6

Q: Is this the last stand for Belgium's 'Golden Generation' against Spain's record-breaking defensive wall?

Yes — it looks very likely to be the last major World Cup push for Belgium’s Golden Generation, and Spain are a brutal opponent for that moment. Belgium still have elite names, but the core of this side is aging. Kevin De Bruyne is 34, Romelu Lukaku 33, and Thibaut Courtois is also in the veteran bracket. This group delivered Belgium’s greatest modern run, including third place in 2018 and quarter-finals in three of the last four World Cups, but it never won a major trophy. With Rudi Garcia also managing a transition, especially in defense, this quarter-final has the feel of an end-of-era test. Spain, meanwhile, arrive with the worst possible profile for Belgium. They have become the first team in World Cup history to keep six straight clean sheets, and their 1-0 win over Portugal again showed their control, patience and depth, with Mikel Merino’s late winner supplied by Ferran Torres. Even with Lamine Yamal not yet at full influence, Spain are limiting chances better than anyone left in the tournament. That makes Belgium’s route clear but difficult. They need Jérémy Doku’s pace and one of De Bruyne or Lukaku to produce a decisive moment, because sustained pressure against this Spain defense has been rare. Courtois may also have to be outstanding. So the match is not definitively the end, but it strongly resembles a last stand: Belgium’s celebrated generation against a Spain side built on defensive history and tournament control.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 10

France entered the final seven games as the clear World Cup favorite after winning all six matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding only two.
A 34% title projection reflects both ends of the team: Kylian Mbappe has eight goals, Ousmane Dembele five, Michael Olise five assists, and France have not conceded in three knockout matches.
Spain ranked next after Mikel Merino’s 91st-minute winner over Portugal, with their depth standing out even as Lamine Yamal has managed just one goal and no assists.
Argentina stayed above England in the rankings after rallying from 2-0 down to beat Egypt with three goals in 13 minutes, though taxing knockout wins over Cape Verde and Egypt raised questions about fatigue.
The latest pecking order leaves France ahead of a field that still includes Spain, Argentina, Belgium and Switzerland as the tournament moves into the quarter-finals.