Belgium face Senegal with the 'has beens' tag burning

Senegal at 22:00 in Seattle

Your team step into the knockout phase Wednesday night. Belgium face Senegal at 22:00 Belgian time in the round of 32 in Seattle (1) (7). Rudi Garcia's squad topped Group G with a 5–1 win over New Zealand, but the group stage was underwhelming and the margin for error is gone now (10).

Senegal, led by Sadio Mané, are no easy draw. Romelu Lukaku called it "one of the toughest matches at this World Cup" (8). Garcia is keeping his lineup under wraps, with three positions up for debate (5). Leandro Trossard is expected to be fit after a calf issue. Belgium will debut a light blue away kit.

Garcia hits back at the 'has beens' label

Rudi Garcia came out swinging before the Senegal match. "I really didn't appreciate them being called has beens," the coach said, defending his squad against critics who have questioned whether this generation is past its peak (4). The mood inside the camp has settled after earlier tension, and Eden Hazard has even backed the team for a title run. The tone from Garcia: we are not done.

Lukaku mentors De Ketelaere

Romelu Lukaku has been giving tips to Charles De Ketelaere during the tournament (2). It is the kind of leadership Belgium need from their focal point. Lukaku shrugged off recent criticism after the group stage and is now setting the tone in the dressing room, warning teammates not to underestimate Senegal (8).

The path: winner faces USA or Bosnia

Beat Senegal and your next opponent is the winner of United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (6). The bracket is opening up. But first, Senegal, a team Senegal coach Pape Thiaw described as a "very special" challenge, noting how much he learned from Garcia (7).

Meunier wanted back home

Thomas Meunier could be returning to Belgium. Anderlecht have made a concrete offer to the 34-year-old, and Antwerp have also been in contact (3). Meunier is currently at the World Cup with the national team but his club future is pointing toward a homecoming.

Nazinho leaves Cercle for Monaco

Cercle Brugge left-back Flávio Nazinho is heading to AS Monaco for a multimillion-euro fee (11). He replaces Caio Henrique, who left for Ajax. A tidy piece of business for the Pro League club.