Senegal pushed Belgium harder than anyone, the numbers prove it

Belgium demolish USA, but your team gave them the hardest test

Belgium are through to the quarter-finals after dismantling the host nation. The Red Devils produced their best performance of the tournament to knock out the United States (1). No scoreline confirmed in the reports, but the word "goleia" tells you everything, a proper beating.

Dodi Lukebakio, Romelu Lukaku, and Nathan Ngoy all got on the scoresheet (1). Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, and Charles De Ketelaere also featured in what Belgian sources are calling their most complete display of the World Cup (1).

And here is what matters most: no one has pushed Belgium harder than Senegal. The Guardian's match report notes that the tightest possession split Belgium have faced all tournament was against your Lions of Teranga, 52% to 48% (2). Not the USA. Not anyone else. Senegal.

Lukaku called it before a ball was kicked

Romelu Lukaku did not mince words ahead of this tournament. The Belgian striker said Senegal would be Belgium's toughest opponent of the World Cup (2). The African champions matched them physically, matched them in duels, and nearly matched them on the ball.

Belgium went on to rout the hosts. Your team took them to the edge.

What this tells you going forward

Senegal went out, yes. But the numbers say the gap is thin. Belgium are now quarter-finalists and playing like contenders, and the one team they could not dominate was yours. African champions, and the data backs it up (2).

Mauricio Pochettino, managing this USA side, and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia both oversaw teams that found Belgium's physical level, but only Senegal sustained it across 90 minutes (1) (2).