Lukaku misses training after Egypt draw, Iran next
Belgium 1–1 Egypt, group wide open
No fireworks, no disaster. Your team drew 1–1 against Egypt in the Group G opener at Lumen Field in Seattle (3). It leaves everything to play for against Iran on Sunday. A win there and the round of 16 is within reach.
Lukaku missed training
Romelu Lukaku was not on the pitch for training with the Red Devils (2). No official word yet on why, but with Iran four days away, any knock matters. Courtois called him "indispensable" earlier in the week. Fans will be watching for updates.
Vanaken hint from open session
A journalist watching Belgium's open training in Seattle flagged something small but telling: "That is already a small indication for Vanaken" (4). It suggests Hans Vanaken may be in line for a bigger role against Iran.
Referee with history gets Iran match
The man in the middle on Sunday is an Argentinian who once handed out six red cards in a single game (3). Facundo Tello, a physical education teacher by trade, will oversee Belgium–Iran. Sunday evening, 21:00 Belgian time.
Supercomputer still likes Belgium's path
After the first matchday, a supercomputer model still projects a favorable route to the quarterfinals for your team (1). The draw against Egypt did not derail the numbers. Beat Iran and the math gets even friendlier.
Sources
- 1. sporza.be — Ligt weg nog steeds open naar kwartfinale? Supercomputer voorspelt gunstige WK-route voor Rode Duivels na eerste speeldag
- 2. nieuwsblad.be — Geen Romelu Lukaku op training bij Rode Duivels, een Belgische VAR en Harry Kane meteen in vorm: dit hebt u vannacht gemist op het WK
- 3. hln.be — Hij deelde ooit zes (!) rode kaarten uit in één wedstrijd: Argentijnse turnleraar moet België-Iran in goede banen leiden
- 4. nieuwsblad.be — Onze man in Seattle: “Dat is al een kleine aanwijzing voor Vanaken”