FIFA World Cup™
Dani Olmo: Spain focused only on beating Belgium, not World Cup glory
Dani Olmo is refusing to think any further ahead than Spain’s quarter-final showdown with Belgium as he targets World Cup glory.
The 2010 winners face the 2018 semi-finalists in Los Angeles on Friday evening knowing they cannot afford to let their concentration slip if they are to go all the way once again.
Barcelona midfielder Olmo told the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) official website: “We are thinking solely and exclusively about the quarter-final match.
“To reach the semi-finals, we will have to beat a great team. Belgium is a very complete team. They have one of the best goalkeepers in the world – (Thibaut) Courtois – and game-changing players in every position.
“Having the opportunity to qualify for a World Cup semi-final means facing one of the most important matches of my career. We are prepared for it.
“Our goal is to win the World Cup and, to achieve that, we first have to overcome Belgium.”
Luis de la Fuente’s men headed into the tournament ranked as the third best team in the world by governing body FIFA, five places above the Belgians.
A stuttering start against surprise package Cape Verde raised questions over their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, but the Group H winners have recorded four straight victories since, the last of them a dour 1-0 win over neighbours Portugal.
They will go head-to-head with Rudi Garcia’s side having won each of the last six encounters – Belgium last tasted victory at the 1980 European Championships in Italy – and unbeaten in 35 games.
Olmo said: “We approach every game as if it were a final. The manager always tells us that the most important game is the next one.
“Reaching that number makes us very happy, but we want to extend it as long as possible, hopefully beyond the final.”
Eden Hazard, a veteran of Belgium’s 1-0 semi-final defeat by eventual winners France in St Petersburg eight years ago, is optimistic that the nation can go one better this time around.
The former Real Madrid star told Marca: “We have a lot of talent and Belgium can surprise everyone and go far in this World Cup. I believe in them.
“We have a good mix of youth and experience. It’s a shame that neither of the Hazard brothers is here, but of course I hope they go all the way and win the title.
“It won’t be easy, but I hope they can reach the final and maybe even win the World Cup. And if not, I think Spain will go as well. We’ll see.”
