Belgium’s World Cup evolution: Golden generation survivors adapt to new roles
6 reported
Belgium, written off by many at the start of the World Cup, has reached the quarter-finals after a comeback win over Senegal and a 4-1 victory against the USA. The squad, which still includes Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, and Axel Witsel from the 2014 and 2018 golden generation, has seen younger players take on greater responsibility. Manager Rudi Garcia has emphasized the quality of his veteran players, rejecting the term "veterans" and instead highlighting what Belgium's "old-timers" can do. The team's communication strategy, using English to avoid language tensions between Dutch and French speakers, has been noted as a clever approach by a linguistics expert. Belgium now prepares to face Spain for a place in the semi-finals.
What’s reported
Belgium reached the quarter-finals after being 2-0 down against Senegal in the last 32 and then beating the USA 4-1.
The squad still features Courtois, Lukaku, De Bruyne, and Witsel from the golden generation, but younger players like Charles De Ketelaere and Leandro Trossard have stepped up.
De Bruyne was injured during the Senegal game; since his departure, Belgium has won twice and scored seven goals in roughly 130 minutes.
Manager Rudi Garcia said he "really can't stand it when my four leaders are called 'veterans'" and called the term "ugly" and "awful."
Players communicate in English as a group to avoid language tensions between Dutch and French speakers, according to Dr. Jim Ureel, senior lecturer in applied linguistics at the University of Antwerp.
Belgium will face Spain on Friday at 20:00 BST for a place in the semi-finals.
Key figures
Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid goalkeeper
Romelu Lukaku, forward
Kevin de Bruyne, midfielder
Axel Witsel, central midfielder
Rudi Garcia, Belgium manager
Charles De Ketelaere, Atalanta forward
Leandro Trossard, Arsenal winger
Youri Tielemans, captain
Dr. Jim Ureel, senior lecturer in applied linguistics at the University of Antwerp
Sources: BBC News
