Rudi Garcia has mounted a fierce defence of Belgium’s senior stars against suggestions they are “has beens” as the Red Devils prepare to face Senegal in the World Cup last 32.
The Belgium manager reacted angrily to a report in French-language Belgian newspaper La Libre that had compared Kevin De Bruyne to a washed-up Hollywood actor following a flat display against Iran. “I really didn’t appreciate them being called has beens,” Garcia said. “When a nation has players of that calibre, you support them.”
Leaders fire in New Zealand rout
Garcia’s irritation came after Belgium secured top spot in Group G with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Seattle. The win extended their unbeaten run to 16 months—their last defeat being a 3-1 loss to Ukraine in Garcia’s first match in charge.
Leandro Trossard scored twice, including the opening goal that arrived after some comical defending saw New Zealand’s Chris Wood and Tim Payne mark each other rather than the Brighton forward. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku also found the net, with Lukaku heading home just 56 seconds after stepping off the bench. Charles De Ketelaere completed the scoring.
The victory means Belgium remain based at the Seattle Sounders training headquarters rather than travelling, though Garcia downplayed any advantage. “I wish we had won more games – all our games – but we are not going to go back to the past,” he said. “What matters now is that we have progressed out of the group stage.”
Fitness boosts for knockout stage
Belgium received encouraging news on the fitness front ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Senegal. The condition of Jérémy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku is improving, while defender Zeno Debast is available for his first minutes of the tournament after recovering from a leg injury.
At a press conference alongside De Ketelaere, Garcia asked his player whether the comprehensive win had eased pressure. “Yesterday [Monday] showed us that to be favourites or not doesn’t matter,” De Ketelaere replied, referencing early exits for Germany and the Netherlands. Garcia concurred, responding simply: “Le même chose.”
Senegal test looms
Belgium will face a Senegal side that finished third in a difficult group containing France, Norway and Iraq. The African nation are ranked 18th by Fifa, just eight places below Belgium.
Garcia expects a stern examination from a team coached by Pape Thiaw, whom the Frenchman knows from his time assisting Robert Nouzaret and John Toshack at Saint-Étienne. “I was following young players and I told Robert: ‘You should have a look at this young Senegalese player,’” Garcia recalled. “It’s funny because I had forgotten about it but when we saw each other in December for the draw we hugged and he reminded me.”
Should Belgium prevail, they would face either the USA or another third-placed qualifier in the last 16. They defeated Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side 5-2 in a March friendly in Atlanta.