Tournament Snapshot
Belgium's group stage was quintessentially Belgian — frustrating, inconsistent, but ultimately sufficient. Two draws (1–1 with Egypt, 0–0 with Iran — with Nathan Ngoy dismissed in the second half to make matters worse) had the pundits writing the Red Devils' obituary, before a 5–1 demolition of New Zealand breathed new life into their tournament. Leandro Trossard starred with a brace, Kevin De Bruyne rolled back the years with a masterful performance, Romelu Lukaku reminded everyone of his predatory quality with a typical goal late on, and Alexis Saelemaekers added a fifth with a composed finish. Five points. Qualification secure. But Belgium know these kind of performances — patchy one day, electric the next — will not be enough against tougher opposition.
Tactical Breakdown
Domenico Tedesco's Belgium operate in a flexible 4–2–3–1 that depends entirely on De Bruyne's creativity to function at its best. When the Manchester City midfielder is involved, Belgium are a different team — incisive, dynamic, impossible to track. The issue against Egypt and Iran was that De Bruyne failed to impose himself in the first halves, and Belgium lacked the tactical creativity to find solutions without him. The full-backs are defensively sound but limited going forward, which means the attacking burden falls heavily on Trossard, De Bruyne, and Lukaku. When all three are in form simultaneously — as they were against New Zealand — Belgium are genuinely dangerous.
Star Player: Kevin De Bruyne
Yes, he is 35, and yes, some of the athletic decline is visible. But his football intelligence, passing range, and ability to unlock defences with a single touch remain world-class. Against New Zealand, De Bruyne was the conductor — every good Belgium move flowed through his boots, and his assist for Trossard's second goal (a perfectly weighted through ball into the channel) was a reminder of what he can still do when motivated and fit. The concern is that in the matches against Egypt and Iran, he looked languid and disengaged. If he brings his New Zealand performance to every match from here, Belgium are a genuine threat. If he turns up in tournament mode — which he has, historically, found elusive — they could go far.
Road Ahead: vs. Senegal
Senegal are the surprise package of Group I — five goals against Iraq in a stunning final group game, a qualification as a best third-place team that nobody expected, and Ismaïla Sarr in devastating form with three goals. The Senegalese will press high, use their physicality to disrupt Belgium's rhythm, and look to exploit any defensive uncertainty behind De Bruyne. Crucially, Senegal beat Belgium in the 2022 group stage, and this team carries that memory.
Belgium's key is starting with De Bruyne's intensity at its peak — if he controls the midfield in the opening 30 minutes, the quality of Trossard and Lukaku should create enough chances to win this match. But if the old Belgium inertia returns, Sarr has the individual quality to decide the game on his own.
Prediction
Belgium advance, but Sarr makes it a memorable contest. Belgium 2–1 Senegal.
