Senegal's World Cup on the line against Belgium Wednesday

Belgium on Wednesday, and it is win or go home

Your World Cup is not over yet, but it is close. Belgium await in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, and everything Senegal have shown so far says this is a mountain. The Lions lost to Norway 3–2 in the group finale despite an Ismaïla Sarr double, and the defensive gaps Haaland exploited will not have gone unnoticed in the Belgian camp (1)(4). Kickoff is 22:00 Belgian time Wednesday (1)(5).

Debast is out, a small opening for Senegal

Belgium will be without Zeno Debast. The defender has all but ruled himself out of the Senegal match, telling reporters he cannot put a date on his return: “Ik kan geen datum plakken op comeback” (7). Debast, who was in the mix to start, framed the week differently: “Als we op ons beste zijn, kunnen we iets laten zien tegen Senegal” (8). The Belgian backline is thinner than planned.

De Bruyne trained, Trossard did not

Kevin De Bruyne turned 35 on Sunday and trained through an honour guard arranged by the Belgian camp. Zeno Debast rejoined the group session too, but Leandro Trossard was absent (5). Belgium's attack is built around De Bruyne, and he will be there Wednesday. How Senegal handle him from the first whistle decides the tie.

Vandenbempt: this matchup came too early

Belgian pundit Peter Vandenbempt is not hiding his view. “Normaal kom je die verderop pas tegen,” he said of facing Senegal this early, meaning, normally you meet this kind of opponent later in the tournament (6). He sees a midfield pairing of Vanaken alongside De Bruyne as the tactical key for Belgium (2). The Belgian press is confident, but not comfortable.

Zidane Iqbal hints at a move

One subplot from the Iraq camp, who lost 5–0 to Senegal previously: Zidane Iqbal told reporters after that defeat that people would “soon know” about a transfer (10). He did not name a club, but the FC Utrecht midfielder is on the move. A footnote for now, unless he lands somewhere that matters to your league.