Belgium enter their World Cup fixture against the United States carrying momentum from a dramatic 3-2 victory over Senegal, yet the real narrative centres on a squad in transition. Coach Rudi Garcia is blending remnants of the celebrated Golden Generation with an emerging cohort of younger talents, a combination that could finally free Belgian football from the shadow of its 2018 near-miss.
The turning point against Senegal
The win over Senegal showcased this evolution. Garcia made bold changes after falling behind, introducing fresh legs that altered the match’s momentum. Among them was Diego Moreira, whose arrival from the bench provided the pace and creativity that had been missing. The 21-year-old winger, currently playing for Strasbourg, delivered five crosses in a display that suggests he could become central to Belgium’s new identity.
Moreira represents the cosmopolitan nature of modern Belgian squads. Born in Liège to a Portuguese father and Belgian mother, he spent his teenage years in Portugal before joining Benfica, then moving to Chelsea and subsequently Strasbourg. Though he harboured ambitions to represent Portugal, he now anchors Belgium’s emerging future alongside Joaquin Seys, Nathan Ngoy and Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Echoes of 1986
Garcia’s approach carries deliberate echoes of Belgium’s 1986 World Cup campaign. After a disappointing opening defeat to Mexico and an unconvincing win over Iraq, coach Guy Thys discarded five senior players and introduced youth. Stéphane Demol, Patrick Vervoort and Georges Grün formed a new spine that propelled Belgium to the semi-finals. Garcia similarly showed no hesitation in withdrawing established names against Senegal when the situation demanded change.
Beyond the Golden Generation
The so-called Golden Generation reached its peak at Russia 2018, eliminating Brazil before falling to France in the semi-finals. Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel remain in the squad, but the supporting cast has shifted. The current group includes Leandro Trossard, Youri Tielemans, Jérémy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere, players who offer quality if not the same stellar reputation.
The meeting with the United States offers Belgium a chance to cement this new direction. While the 2018 vintage carried the burden of expectation as potential champions, this squad appears liberated by lower external pressure. Moreira may not start given Doku’s presence, but his proven impact from the bench provides Garcia with a game-changing option should the tactical situation demand it.