After staying out of hearts in 2006 and 2010the selection of Belgium reappeared in the edition of 2014 as a team to watch. Count on names like Courteous, by Bruyne, Axel Witsel, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertensthe team showed the world that they reached another level by passing the group stage in first place, overcoming the UNITED STATES of the guardian Tim Howard in the round of 16 and only be overtaken in the quarter-finals by the second Argentina.

After the campaign, many considered that the Euro 2016 would be the consecration of the generation that had emerged two years ago, but the Belgians ended up being eliminated by one of the surprises of the competition, the Wales. In 2018finally, the team prevailed and achieved the best result in its history – third place after winning the England contender for the bronze medal.

But the generation led by Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne still has the same key elements since 2014 and they are not newer. Although they had fun, de Bruyne and Courtois are already 30 and other players like the Hazard brothers and Axel Witsel are no longer living their best form.

The potential for what this selection can do divides even veterans’ opinions: In an interview, Stephane Demoldefender of the Belgian national team in the World Cup 1986 and 1990 said he struggled for the Belgians to get past the knockout stages. Belgian-Brazilian Luis Airton de Oliveirawho defended the red devils in 1998thinks the team has the potential to surprise and can be in the top four again.

Belgium form of play:

The Belgians’ tactical structure remains the same as used in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, with a baseline of three defenders, a four-piece midfielder and three players in front, who alternate on a line of three or three on one line. with two and another with one (3-4-3 Where 3-4-2-1).

Despite the old structure, the Belgian team has already had new names such as Charles de Ketelaerefrom Milano and Openda Laws, of Netz, to appear in its list. And to compensate for the lack of experience of young people, the coach Roberto Martinez still counts on the experience of De Bruyne and Courtois living one of the best phases of his career after winning the award for best goalkeeper of the season.

Strengths and weaknesses

The fact that the Belgian national team has had the same base since the 2014 World Cup makes chemistry one of its strengths. Of the ten players with the most games in the selection, eight must be in the Qatar.

All of this experience, however, can also act as a double-edged sword. The trio of Belgian defenders are already considered veterans and even play in national teams. Alderweireld (33 Years, Royal Antwerp), Vertonghen (35, Anderlecht) and Boyata (31, Brugge) are heading to their final World Cup and have no substitutes to match. The defense was even one of the concerns of the red devils: during the six matches played in UEFA Nations Leaguethey conceded eight goals.

The Belgian highlight:

Owner of a notorious vision of the game and famous for his precise passing, Kevin de Bruyne is the star of this Belgian team. relying party of Pep Guardiola to Manchester Citythe leading midfielder was once responsible for 11 help to 15 games of the season 2022/23 and for 14 assist and 19 goals scored with the jersey citizens in season 2021/22.

To monitor :

The main promise of the Belgian national team is Charles de Ketelaere, of Milano. Even if he has not yet established himself as the holder of the reigning Italian champions, the 21-year-old midfielder has talent and potential to the point of being compared to the kaka by the Italian press.

Belgium in the Cup

Belgium is in Group F of the World Cup and plays against Canada (23/11), Morocco (27/11) and Croatia (01/12). Against the Canadians and the Moroccans, the record is favourable, with a victory in one game against Canada and two victories and a defeat in three games against Morocco. Croatia, on the other hand, proved to be a tough opponent: in eight matches, three wins for each side and a draw, the most expressive scoreline being a rout suffered in 2003 during the Euro qualifiers: 4-0 .