Belgium will hope to silence the critics at home and secure a place in the round of 16 at the World Cup when they face Senegal tonight.
Rudi Garcia’s men have come under fire for a couple of disappointing performances against Egypt and Iran before they secured their place in the knockout phase with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand.
Senegal will present a much stiffer challenge than anything they have faced so far.
Pape Thiaw’s side also enjoyed a big win, 5-0 over Iraq, to reach this stage having been placed in a tough group that also contained France and Norway.
Where to watch Belgium v Senegal: TV channel, live online streams
Belgium versus Senegal kicks off tonight at 9pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV1 and stream on ITVX.
World Cup 2026: Belgium v Senegal stats
- Belgium are the first team to top their group at the World Cup despite not winning either of their first two matches since the USA in 2010
- They are unbeaten in 16 games across all competitions (W10) and earned their largest victory in a World Cup match with a 5-1 win over New Zealand on matchday three, scoring more goals in that game than across their previous seven at the finals (4)
- Leandro Trossard scored twice against New Zealand and has created 13 chances, which is the most by any player in a World Cup group stage since Miralem Pjanic for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2014 (also 13)
- All 13 of those chances were fashioned from open play, which is the most by any player overall in a single World Cup group since Enzo Scifo produced 15 for Belgium in 1994
- Romelu Lukaku scored last time out and set up Alexis Saelemaekers’ goal as the striker moved to six goals and eight goal involvements (6 goals, 2 assists) at the World Cup action, giving the 33-year-old the most goals and goal involvements of any Belgium player at the finals since records began
- Against Iraq on matchday three, Senegal recorded their most attempts (28), efforts on target (12), highest expected goals tally (3.01) and most touches in the opposition box (51) in a World Cup match
- There have been 14 goals (8 for, 6 against) in Senegal’s three matches, with only Norway’s games (15) featuring more
- Ismaila Sarr has been directly involved in four goals at this year’s tournament (3 goals, 1 assist), which is the joint-most by a Senegal player at a single edition (Henri Camara totalled four in 2002)
- Idrissa Gueye made 39 line-breaking passes in the group stage – the most of any Senegal player – and ranked top overall for line-breaking passes at his previous international tournament, with 100 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Senegal have lost their last two World Cup knockout matches without scoring – 1-0 against Turkiye in the 2002 quarter-finals and 3-0 against England in the last 16 four years ago, previously beating Sweden 2-1 in the last 16 in 2002
