Belgium will face African football superpower Senegal in the last eight of the World Cup tomorrow. Kevin De Bruyne hits back at the critics – and defends his performance.
De Bruyne is one of several Belgian stars who have been criticised after Rudi Garcia’s side struggled to draws against Egypt and Iran, before beating New Zealand and securing advancement. Now they have to raise the bar against Senegal in Seattle – but De Bruyne believes the criticism has been exaggerated.
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“Honestly, I think I played a good game against New Zealand. Overall, I’m happy with my level in the first three games,” he told FIFA.com.
“We didn’t get the results we hoped for against Egypt and Iran, that’s true. But if we had taken our chances, we could have won. We are qualified, and now a new championship begins. I hope we can continue the journey.
“I made my debut for the national team as a 17-year-old and am now 35. 18 years is a long time in football. I am proud to still experience this championship and give everything for the national team.
Onana with special connection to Senegal
For Belgium’s Amadou Onana, the match against Senegal is very special. The Aston Villa midfielder has a strong connection to the Lions from Teranga.
“I have a very, very strong connection to Senegal. I am real Galsen (slang for Senegalese). Wolof is my mother tongue – I spoke Wolof before I spoke French,” Onana said.
“I was born in Dakar, my whole family lives there, except for my mother and my siblings in Brussels. I go back once a year – that’s where I recharge my batteries.
Senegal qualified as one of the best third-placed teams – and showed offensive muscle with a 5-0 win over Iraq last time out.
World Cup 2026: Team news for Belgium vs Senegal
Garcia has a full squad available, but can strengthen the midfield with Onana at the expense of Hans Vanaken.
Senegal will once again have to do without goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly may have to settle for a place on the bench. Nicolas Jackson could be brought in to add more physicality to the attack.
Belgium vs Senegal: Predicted line-ups for the 2026 World Cup
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois – Castagne, Theate, Mechele, De Cuyper – Onana, Tielemans – Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku – De Ketelaere
Senegal (4-3-3): Diaw – Jakobs, Seck, Niakhaté, Diatta – Camara, Gueye, Diarra – Mané, Jackson, Sarr
World Cup 2026: Key figures for Belgium vs Senegal
- Belgium are the first team since the United States in 2010 to top their World Cup group without winning either of their first two games.
- They are unbeaten in 16 games across all competitions and claimed their biggest World Cup win with a 5-1 win over New Zealand.
- Leandro Trossard scored twice against New Zealand and has created 13 chances – the most of any player in a World Cup group stage since Miralem Pjanić in 2014 (also 13). All 13 chances came from open play.
- Romelu Lukaku scored and set up one goal last time out – he now has six goals and eight assists in the World Cup.
- Senegal had 28 finishes, 12 on goal and 51 touches in the opponent’s box against Iraq – records for them in a World Cup match.
- Only Norway’s games (15) have had more goals than Senegal’s three games (14).
- Ismaila Sarr has been directly involved in four goals (three goals, one assist) – equalling Henri Camara’s record from 2002.
- Idrissa Gueye had the most line-breaking passes of any Senegal player in the group stage.
- Senegal have lost their last two World Cup knockout matches without scoring – against Turkey in 2002 and England in 2022.
- Senegal beat Sweden in the last eight in 2002 – their only World Cup knockout victory.
World Cup 2026: Prediction for Belgium vs. Senegal
African football is in a very good period, and we believe Senegal will continue to deliver.
Prediction: Belgium 1-2 Senegal
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