MY ACCOUNT
Belgium sit top of the FIFA world rankings but are still waiting for their first taste of a World Cup final.
And time could be running out for a special generation of players to make their mark.
Ahead of tonight’s friendly against Burkina Faso, we assess whether the Red Devils — who enjoyed a best ever third-placed finish at Russia 2018 — can lift the trophy this winter.
Red Devils losing their sting
Belgium have been a major player on the international stage since reaching the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but they have been unable to get over the line at any major tournament and some of their most talented players are moving past their peak.
With injuries catching up with Eden Hazard and midfielder Axel Witsel along with key defenders Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen moving well into their 30s, there are a few issues developing for a team which does not seem to have an abundance of top-class talent coming through.
Head coach Roberto Martinez cast an eye towards the future with his March squad selection by omitting players capped 50 times or more, but the exercise raised more questions than answers when a less experienced Belgian side drew 2-2 with Ireland in Dublin.
We need to talk about Kevin
Martinez is likely to return to much of the old guard when picking a squad to compete in Qatar, but hopes of challenging for the trophy are going to be heavily reliant on star player Kevin De Bruyne.
The Manchester City man was never fully fit for Euro 2020 and it showed with Belgium failing to convince before exiting the tournament at the quarter-final stage with a 2-1 loss to Italy.
Romelu Lukaku was their leading scorer at the Euros — scoring four goals — but his levels have dropped alarmingly since last summer’s switch from Inter Milan to Chelsea.
Getting Lukaku back to his best is a must for Martinez, because the back-up centre forward options are not at the elite level.
Michy Batshuayi and Christian Benteke continue to earn regular call-ups despite ongoing struggles with their club careers and Divock Origi is unlikely to develop while playing a bit-part role for Liverpool.
Lack of depth
Aside from Thibaut Courtois, a top-class keeper who can be a difference-maker in tight games, the Belgians’ pool of talent seems to be shrinking overall.
An experienced defence can sometimes be a benefit, as Italy showed when winning Euro 2020, but the reliance on Vertonghen and Alderweireld looks borne out of necessity rather than a positive choice.
Both are not as quick as they once were and they are probably hanging on to their places because there is a lack of reliable defenders coming through.
Despite the cracks starting to show, Belgium were unbeaten in a weak qualifying group and have not lost a World Cup qualifying game since missing out on a place in South Africa in 2010.
However, while the Belgians remain proficient at polishing off lesser teams they have often fallen short against elite rivals and a similar story could unfold in Qatar.
