This is the last chance for Belgium’s Golden Generation to win a World Cup. The majority of Belgium’s stars are on the wrong side of 30, and they are soon to enter the twilight of their careers. Belgium proved it could beat the best teams in the world with its wins over Brazil and England and subsequent third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, so The Red Devils are one of the favorites entering the World Cup in Qatar. The fates have placed Belgium in a tricky group though, as 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia is in Group F along with arguably the best teams that both Canada and Morocco have ever produced.
Belgium Odds at the 2022 World Cup
Belgium Odds to Win the 2022 World Cup +1400
Belgium Odds to Win Group F -200
Belgium Odds to Qualify for the Round of 16 -1000
We saw Belgium go 6-2-0 in its qualifying group in order to make it to the World Cup. Belgium played Wales and the Czech Republic to 1-1 draws away from home, and they won their other six games to lock up a place at the World Cup for the third straight time. The Red Devils have made it to the knockout rounds in six of the last nine World Cups.
Recent Form
Belgium has been up and down in its six matches so far this year. The Red Devils looked strong against Burkina Faso in late March, and they hammered Poland in Nations League play in mid-June. They scored five goals after halftime to overcome an opener from Robert Lewandowski on their way to a 6-1 win in Brussels. Belgium knocked off Poland 1-0 in Warsaw too, ensuring that the country will not be relegated to League B.
However, Belgium has also shown an inability to beat Wales, and they were embarrassed at home by the Netherlands in early June. The Belgians have played Wales to two 1-1 draws in their last two matches, and they also had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Ireland in Dublin. Their 4-1 loss to the Dutch in Brussels was a shock as Belgium did play stars like Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Eden Hazard. That has led to worries about their back line in Qatar.
Roster
The Red Devils have the ability to attack in a number of ways. Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are two of the best creators in the world, and their ability to make things happen for their teammates or score for themselves will make Belgium dangerous. De Bruyne is still in his prime and is the key to Manchester City’s attack, while Hazard was selected for the All-Star Team for his play in Russia last World Cup.
Romelu Lukaku is one of the best pure goal scorers in the world, and he has 68 goals in 102 appearances for Belgium. Lukaku fell out of favor at Manchester United, yet he has proved that he is a world-class forward with his performance at Inter Milan. Christian Benteke, Dries Mertens, and Michy Batshuayi have also proven to be solid goal scoring options.
The back line is a major concern for Belgium after what we saw in June. Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were anchors in defense for years, but both players are now past their prime. Thomas Meunier is the only player that has proven to be better than Vertonghen and Alderweireld, as the youth has not been able to push the two veterans. That could lead to midfielders like Axel Witsel and Youri Tielemans playing more of a defensive role.
Fortunately, Thibaut Courtois is still an elite goalkeeper. Courtois won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup, and he continues to thrive at Real Madrid. That will help cover up for some issues in the back.
Prediction
Belgium has more variables than the other World Cup contenders. This is a team that could score on any back line in the world given the talent in the midfield and at the top of the formation, but the back line is shaky. If that isn’t stabilized, we could see Belgium crash out of the World Cup earlier than anticipated.
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