The site was perhaps immense, but Rudi Garcia, appointed coach of the Belgian national team on January 24, was not able to find the right formula in four months at the head of the Red Devils. Kevin de Bruyne and his teammates failed when they entered the 2026 World Cup playoffs, taking only one point last Friday in North Macedonia (1-1).
Deprived of Thibaut Courtois (package), the Belgians led to Skopje score thanks to Maxim de Cuyper in the middle of the first period (28th), but Ezgjan Alioski sent a magnificent recovery for the purpose of Matz Sals in the 88th minute of the game.
Before the reception of Wales this Monday evening in Brussels (8:45 p.m., live on the L'Equipe channel), Belgium has a point after its first match when its competitors started qualifying last March. The Macedonians took the lead this Monday afternoon with eight points by winning in Kazakhstan (0-1). The Welsh has seven units and intend to leave with a result of the King-Baudoin stadium.
De Bruyne, Doku and Lukaku are there
“KDB” still leads the team to challenge the Welsh this Monday, with Leandro Trossard and Jérémy Doku on the wings and Romelu Lukaku faithful to the outposts. Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans form the Belgian midfield to allow De Bruyne, 33, to make the difference. On the bench, we find Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles de Ketelaere, Malick Fofana or Loïs Openda.
On the side of Cardiff's dragons, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, FC Nantes Sorba Thomas winger and Tottenham Brennan Johnson crack are lined up by Craig Bellamy (the former Liverpool and Manchester City striker).
The eleven of Belgium: Salts – Meunier, Debast, Faes, de Cuyper – Onana, Tielemans – Trossard, de Bruyne, Doku – Lukaku.
The Pays de Wales composition: Darlow – Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, Davies – Wilson, Ampadu, James – Thomas, Johnson, Brooks.
