Belgium await Senegal in Seattle with Onana dreading the family reunion

Belgium on Wednesday, and everything is on the line

Senegal face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 on Wednesday at 22:00 in Seattle (1) (3) (6). Your team is hanging by a thread after the Norway loss. One more defeat and it is over. The Belgian press is already treating this as a game they should win, but knockout football does not care about reputations.

Amadou Onana did not want this match

Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana was born in Dakar and made no secret of his dread at drawing Senegal. "I would rather lose to France," he said, speaking to Belgian media (2). He even pleaded before the draw: "Please don't let us play Senegal" (4). Onana chose Belgium as a teenager, but his entire family is Senegalese. That tension is real.

Belgian commentator: Onana will not hold back

Peter Vandenbempt dismissed any suggestion Onana might go soft on Wednesday. "I don't believe he would do anything strange," the commentator said. "I assume he just plays at full throttle" (7). Rudi Garcia is expected to start him regardless.

Trossard a doubt for Belgium

Leandro Trossard missed Belgium's training session on Monday with a calf issue (3) (5). Zeno Debast was present and available. If Trossard is out, that is one less creative threat for Senegal to handle.

Belgian squad debate spills into public

Former Belgium manager Marc Wilmots turned the midfield selection into a political argument, claiming the Flemish press pushed Hans Vanaken into the setup (8). Anthony Vanden Borre was also named in the debate. Belgium are not a settled camp right now, and that is a small opening for your team.

A Senegalese striker lands in Belgium

Sint-Truiden officially signed Frederic Soelle Soelle from RWDM. The striker is of Senegalese descent and becomes STVV's first summer signing (9). A name to file away for the future.