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BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -Belgium will be hoping to derail Spain's perfect World Cup qualifying campaign and end the European champion's 26-game unbeaten streak when they clash on Wednesday.
The Red Devils have finally pulled a decent string of results together and hope their good form will be enough to gain at least a point in the high-profile World Cup qualifier at King Baudouin Stadium.
Spain has a perfect nine points from its first three games in Group 5, with Belgium and Turkey two points back.
Belgium drew 1-1 in Turkey last month, and beat Armenia 2-0 at home on Saturday
"We know it is a strong team," said Spain and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres. "Our target is now to get the next three points. It is very difficult."
If they do, it will cap a perfect year for Spain, which won its first major trophy in 44 years when it lifted the European Cup in Vienna in June, and sits at the top of FIFA's world rankings.
Belgium has fallen on hard times over the past decade, turning into an also-ran which failed to qualify for the last World Cup for the first time since 1978.
Now, with a young and talented squad, it is in the mix again. And against Spain, Belgium might well turn to the tactic which made them such difficult opponents in the past.
Coach Rene Vandereycken indicated he could revert to a five-man defense and two holding midfielders to contain Spain's potent and creative attack.
Although Belgium had to go looking for goals against Armenia, Spain is a big step up in class.
"It will be a totally different game," said Vandereycken of Wednesday's match. "We already got more than we hoped for against Turkey and now we will do it again."
Belgium has been suspect at the back this year, while Spain has been perfect in qualifying, scoring 8 goals and conceding none in its first three games. With Torres and Valencia's David Villa it is unlikely Spain will remain scoreless on the bumpy pitch of the King Baudouin Stadium.
