Belgium's World Cup Journey: From Struggles to Knockout Ready
Belgium arrive at the sharp end of this World Cup with something they have not yet enjoyed at this tournament: a clean bill of health and a clear horizon.
After three group games stitched together with compromises and fitness doubts, coach Rudi Garcia stood in Seattle on Tuesday and, for the first time, could talk about a full deck.
“Before this game against Senegal, we are lucky to have everyone available, and that's a good thing because it was not the case for the first three games,” he said. Earlier in the competition, too many players were either short of fitness or managing problems. “But this is over.”
It comes at the perfect moment. The margin for error has disappeared.
From stumbles to top spot
Belgium’s route to the knockouts has not been the swaggering procession many expected. Group G began with successive draws against Egypt and Iran, results that left questions hanging over both rhythm and ruthlessness.
Then New Zealand arrived, and Belgium finally snapped into gear. A 5-1 rout not only settled the group but also restored a little of the aura. Top spot secured, doubts eased, but not entirely erased.
“We wanted to end first in the group and this is what we did,” Garcia said. “I wish we had won more games, all the games, but we're not going to go back in the past. What matters now is that we progressed out of the group stage.”
The message was clear: the table says Belgium did their job. The performances say there is still another level to reach.
Lukaku and Doku on the rise
The biggest source of optimism sits in attack. Romelu Lukaku, the country’s record scorer, arrived at this World Cup on the back of a frustrating season at Napoli, limited to barely an hour of football by a persistent hamstring injury. He has been eased in from the bench, but even in short bursts his presence has altered games.
Now, with the knockouts beginning, Belgium finally have him trending upwards rather than just surviving.
Jeremy Doku’s path has been different but just as disruptive to Garcia’s plans. The winger missed the second group match to attend the birth of his son in London, a joyous interruption that nonetheless removed one of Belgium’s sharpest weapons from the pitch. Charles De Ketelaere, meanwhile, sat out the goalless draw with Iran due to a knee issue.
Those worries have lifted.
“Jeremy, Romelu are getting better. Charles, I think that his problem is over as well,” Garcia said, his words carrying the sound of a camp that feels lighter, fresher, and finally aligned with the demands of the tournament.
Lessons from a shock
Attention now swings fully to Senegal, a side built for knockout football: aggressive, athletic, unforgiving in transition. Belgium know there will be no room for the sleepy spells that marked parts of their group campaign.
The warning arrived on Monday. Paraguay’s shock win over Germany ripped up one of the bracket’s assumed certainties and sent a message across the tournament: reputation is a thin shield in the last 16.
Atalanta forward De Ketelaere did not need a second viewing to understand the implications.
“I don't think it matters who is the favourite,” he said. “It matters that we have confidence in ourselves and that we are sharp tomorrow to just go win this game, because yesterday showed us that to be favourites or not, it doesn't matter.
“We need to be alert and sharp to win the game.”
The words fit the mood. Belgium have the talent, the experience, and now the fitness. What they have lacked so far is the ruthless edge that defines champions.
Senegal will test exactly that.
