Group G · Match 15Full time
- T. Castagne 14'
- M. Hany (OG) 66'
- M. De Cuyper 75'
- M. Attia 13'
- E. Ashour 20'
- A. Fatouh 34'
Belgium
Group GFIFA ranking #8UEFABEL
Third place 2018 · 15th appearance
Profile
The golden generation of Hazard, Lukaku and Courtois has passed the torch: Jérémy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere now headline a rebooted Belgium, with Kevin De Bruyne providing one final chapter to an extraordinary international career. Rudi Garcia's side topped their European qualifying group with composed, professional performances that suggested a team settled in its new identity. De Bruyne, even in the autumn of his career, remains one of the most technically gifted midfielders who has ever played the game. Doku's pace and directness from the left flank creates problems no right-back in the world is fully equipped to solve. De Ketelaere's Champions League performances with Atalanta have been outstanding. Group G contains Egypt, Iran and New Zealand — making Belgium heavy favourites for an easy group-stage passage. The question is whether this talented but transitional squad can replicate the 2018 semi-final run that made the golden generation's legacy.
Belgium fixtures
Group G · Match 39Full time
- R. Lukaku 3'
- N. Ngoy 66'
- S. Ezatolahi 33'
Group G · Match 64Full time
- M. Stamenic 46'
- E. Just 56'
- E. Just 84'
- L. Trossard 28'
- L. Trossard 50'
- K. De Bruyne 66'
- R. Lukaku 86'
- A. Saelemaekers 90'+4'
Round of 32 · Match 81AET
- B. Mechele 64'
- R. Lukaku 86'
- Y. Tielemans 89'
- Y. Tielemans (P) 120'+5'
- H. Diarra 24'
- I. Sarr 51'
- L. Camara 67'
Round of 16 · Match 94Full time
- M. Tillman 31'
- W. McKennie 35'
- M. Tillman 69'
- C. De Ketelaere 9'
- C. De Ketelaere 33'
- H. Vanaken 57'
- R. Lukaku 90'+3'
Quarter-final · Match 98Full time
- F. Ruiz 30'
- P. Cubarsí 43'
- M. Merino 88'
- A. Laporte 90'+3'
- C. De Ketelaere 41'
- K. De Bruyne 85'
- A. Witsel 90'+5'
Players to watch
Kevin De Bruyne
Midfielder · Napoli
One of the greatest central midfielders of his era, De Bruyne has won multiple Premier League titles and reached the Champions League final with Manchester City. Now at Napoli in the final chapter of his career, his passing vision, set-piece delivery and ability to control any game at any tempo remain extraordinary.
Jérémy Doku
Forward · Manchester City
An explosive left-sided attacker whose pace and dribbling have made him one of the most exciting wingers in the Premier League. Doku has developed his consistency at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, adding tactical discipline to his natural gifts and becoming Belgium's most dangerous attacker in the transition from the golden generation.
Charles De Ketelaere
Forward · Atalanta
After a difficult start at AC Milan, De Ketelaere reinvented himself spectacularly at Atalanta, winning the Europa League and establishing himself as one of Serie A's most creative forwards. His technical quality, intelligent movement and ability to score or assist in big European games make him central to Belgium's attacking ambitions.
Group G table
Group G
Top 2 advance · best 3rds may qualify| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Belgium | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +4 | 5 |
| 2Egypt | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 5 |
| 3Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 4New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -6 | 1 |