Micah Richards has called Marc Cucurella the World Cup’s most underrated left-back ahead of Spain’s quarter-final with Belgium, praising the former Chelsea man’s defensive tenacity and attacking threat. Cucurella — a near ever‑present for La Roja and recent Real Madrid recruit — has helped Spain keep a perfect defensive record while supplying key assists going forward.
Cucurella hailed as World Cup’s most underrated left-back
Marc Cucurella’s stock has risen sharply at this tournament. Micah Richards singled him out as “probably the most underrated left‑back in world football,” pointing to a blend of defensive discipline, tactical intelligence and forward thrust that has powered Spain through to the quarter‑finals.
Why Richards and Shearer rave
Richards highlighted Cucurella’s timing on tackles and ability to recover defensively when opponents think they’ve beaten him. He also praised the left‑side partnership with Alex Baena for adding a new creative dimension. Alan Shearer added the player’s aggression and style make him the kind of full‑back opposition fans love to hate — and teammates love to have.
Immediate impact on Spain’s World Cup campaign
Spain arrive at the Belgium tie without conceding a goal; Cucurella has played every minute and contributed two assists, more than any other La Roja player so far. His consistency has been a cornerstone of Spain’s defensive resilience and transitional attack.
Transfer context: Chelsea to Real Madrid
Cucurella’s move from Chelsea to Real Madrid — reported at around £52m — has been framed as a fresh start. After an initially mixed spell in the Premier League, he established himself as one of England’s better left‑backs before electing to move on. That decision reportedly left Chelsea captain Reece James upset, but for Spain the change appears to have coincided with renewed confidence and form.
What this clash with Belgium will demand
Belgium arrive with one of the tournament’s most potent attacks, having scored 13 goals. Spain’s full‑back pair, Cucurella and Pedro Porro, will be tested by the pace and trickery of Jeremy Doku and the intelligent movement of Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere.
Tactical keys and what to expect
Spain are likely to try to push Belgium deep and suffocate space in midfield, forcing the Red Devils to rely on individual moments of quality. Cucurella’s role will be twofold: shut down wide incursions and provide overlapping options to stretch Belgium’s backline. If he maintains defensive discipline while contributing offensively, Spain gain an important edge.
Why Cucurella’s form matters beyond a single match
Cucurella’s blend of grit and creativity is emblematic of modern full‑back play — dependable defensively but influential in attack. For Spain, keeping a clean sheet here keeps momentum toward the semi‑finals and validates the defensive shape that has underpinned their tournament. For Cucurella, sustained displays at this level could reframe perceptions of his standing among Europe’s elite left‑backs.
Outlook
Expect a high‑intensity quarter‑final where Spain’s structure and Cucurella’s reliability collide with Belgium’s individual flair.
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If Cucurella continues to perform at this level, he won’t stay “underrated” for long.
Metro
