Belgium wary of Senegal upset after Germany and Netherlands crash out of World Cup

Belgium enter Wednesday’s World Cup round of 16 against Senegal with a sharp reminder fresh in their minds: being the favourite means nothing. Germany fell to Paraguay on penalties and Morocco sent the Netherlands home on Monday, leaving Europe’s remaining contenders on notice.

Coach Rudi Garcia’s side topped Group G with a 5-1 win over New Zealand, a result that already represents an improvement on their group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But Garcia was measured in his satisfaction, insisting the real work begins now.

“We wanted to finish first in the group stage and we succeeded,” Garcia said. “Of course we wanted to win more — 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.”

StrikerRomelu Lukaku echoed that caution before Monday’s results made it feel prophetic. “Senegal has a lot of top-level players, and the coach is, too,” Lukaku said. “I think it’s 50-50. We really shouldn’t underestimate them.”

Forward Charles De Ketelaere was even more direct after watching the round of 32 unfold. “It doesn’t matter who the favourite is,” he said. “We have confidence and need to be sharp. Yesterday showed that it doesn’t matter if you are the favourite.”

Senegal finished third in Group I — a pool that included France and an Erling Haaland-led Norway — with three points and a plus-2 goal differential. They arrive in form, having routed Iraq 5-0 in their final group game, with Sadio Mane leading the attack.

Belgium’s defence has been difficult to breach, conceding just twice in three group games with Thibaut Courtois in goal. Senegal, however, will face that challenge without their own first-choice goalkeeper. Édouard Mendy, injured in a 3-2 group-stage loss to Norway, has been ruled out by coach Pape Thiaw. Reserve Mory Diaw, who kept a clean sheet against Iraq, is expected to start again.

“Mory had a great performance,” Thiaw said. “He kept a clean sheet and I think as the goalkeeper tomorrow, we hope that we’ll also come up with a clean sheet.”

Thiaw remains confident his side can produce an upset to match those of Paraguay and Morocco, and Belgium’s players appear to know it.