Belgium plays with fire

Belgium still does not have its ticket for the 2026 World Cup in its pocket. This Saturday in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Red Devils missed the opportunity to kill the suspense by failing to dominate their hosts.

To everyone’s surprise, the Kazakhstanis even struck first thanks to Satpaev at the start of the match (9th). Vanaken having finally spared his team a crushing defeat by finding the fault in the second period (1-1, 48th). The expulsion of Chesnokov in the last quarter of an hour among the locals did not allow the Belgians to do better.

Under the threat of North Macedonia and Wales, the selection of Rudi Garcia nevertheless remains in a favorable position in these qualifiers. A point in three days against Liechtenstein and Belgium will officially qualify for the 15th World Cup in its history (in 23 editions).

Kazakhstan-Belgium, the lines at kick-off

The Kazakh eleven: Anarbekov – Kairov, Kasym, Alip, Vorogovskiy – Orazov, Tapalov – Chesnokov, Samorodov, Kenzhebek – Satpaev.

The Belgian eleven: Sels – Castagne, Theate, De Winter, Seys – Onana, Raskin – De Ketelaere, Vanaken, Doku – Trossard.