SEATTLE (AP) 鈥� By advancing to the knockout round atop Group G, Belgium has already improved upon its woeful performance at the four years ago.
After a historic third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Belgium did not advance past the group stage in 2022 in Qatar. With its on Friday night, Belgium won its group and achieved what coach Rudi Garcia wanted from his club.
Ahead of Wednesday鈥檚 knockout round match against Senegal, Garcia expressed satisfaction with his group鈥檚 accomplishments, as well as a desire for more. Belgium won one game and played to two draws in group play.
鈥淲e wanted to finish first in the group stage and we succeeded,鈥� Garcia said in French. 鈥淥f course we wanted to win more 鈥� we know the story of our World Cup so far. Now it is time for the knockout phase. Senegal is a big team. But, you have to beat them, too, if you want to go far in a World Cup.鈥�
For Belgium鈥檚 participation in the tournament to be considered a success, it must first get by a Senegal team that finished third in Group I with three points and a plus-2 goal differential. The African team navigated one of the toughest groups in the tournament, one that featured favorite France and the Erling Haaland-led Norway.
鈥淲e know it will be a tough match,鈥� said Monday in French. 鈥淪enegal has a lot of top-level players, and the coach is, too. I think it鈥檚 50-50. We really shouldn鈥檛 underestimate them.鈥�
Given what transpired in the round of 32 shortly after Lukaku鈥檚 comments, Belgium would be wise to heed his warning. Germany while on Monday night.
Belgium is aware that even as the odds-on pick to beat Senegal, it must be careful on Wednesday. Otherwise, it could fall victim to the same fate as its European counterparts.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter who the favorite is,鈥� said Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere. 鈥淲e have confidence and need to be sharp. Yesterday showed that it doesn鈥檛 matter if you are the favorite.鈥�
Senegal, meanwhile, hopes it has the offensive firepower to score against stingy Belgium, which has allowed two goals in three games with star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in net. Led by Sadio Mane, Senegal is coming off .
But, Senegal will also be short-handed on the defensive side. Goalkeeper 脡douard Mendy, who was injured in a in group play, will not be available Wednesday, according to coach Pape Thiaw. Reserve Mory Diaw, who started in Mendy鈥檚 place against Iraq, is likely to do so again.
鈥淢ory had a great performance,鈥� Thiaw said in French. 鈥淗e kept a clean sheet and I think (as) the goalkeeper tomorrow, we hope that we鈥檒l also come up with a clean sheet.鈥�
Even if Senegal has to turn to Diaw, Thiaw is confident his side can pull off an upset, much like both Paraguay and Morocco did Monday.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not because you finished top of your group that you鈥檙e not going to be knocked out in the next round,鈥� Thiaw said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 exactly what happened with the Netherlands. It鈥檚 another tournament starting. We are looking for the win tomorrow so that we can continue our journey.鈥�
Debast out of lineup
Center back Zeno Debast, who has not appeared in a World Cup match this summer will be available for Wednesday鈥檚 match, but is not expected to start, according to Garcia.
Debast after he had an MRI on Saturday for a left leg injury. He practiced again Tuesday with tape on his left knee.
鈥淶eno Debast is with the group, but tomorrow is still too soon,鈥� Garcia said. 鈥淗e is making progress, though. He still needs time to get fully fit, as was anticipated. I am very satisfied with the defenders we have already called upon.鈥�
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