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Kevin De Bruyne is under a lot of pressure following Belgium's two draws at the 2026 World Cup . |
Two draws against Egypt and Iran have put the Belgian national team under considerable pressure ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Rudi Garcia's team remains undefeated, but their uninspired performances and ineffective goalkeeping have led to growing impatience from the domestic media.
The match against New Zealand in the final group stage game has become a mandatory task for the "Red Devils". Belgium not only needs to win, but also needs a convincing victory to regain confidence after two lackluster performances.
The biggest pressure right now rests on Kevin De Bruyne. The midfielder, who is about to turn 35, is seen as a symbol of Belgium's stagnation. In Garcia's squad, Courtois is one of the few players performing at an acceptable level. The rest, especially the attacking leaders, have not lived up to expectations.
De Bruyne hit the post in the match against Egypt, but that was probably his most significant attacking contribution since the start of the tournament. What remains is the image of a player who tries hard but lacks effectiveness, wanting to lift the team but no longer making the same difference as before.
The disappointment surrounding De Bruyne is not accidental. The midfielder is being reminded of his underwhelming performances at Euro 2024 and the 2022 World Cup, where Belgium were eliminated in the group stage. After leaving Man City and his decline at Napoli, De Bruyne continues to face questions about the end of his career.
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Belgium needs its key players to shine against New Zealand to keep their hopes of progressing alive. |
Not only De Bruyne, but Romelu Lukaku is also among those criticized by fans. Belgian supporters are waiting for key players to speak up at the right time to pull the team out of this difficult situation. For a generation that once had very high expectations, another disappointing World Cup would be a major blow to the fans' faith.
The draw against Iran only added to the somber atmosphere. Belgium unleashed 23 shots but failed to score a single goal. Ibrahimovic, in his role as a television commentator, sarcastically remarked that he almost dozed off in the first half and "really fell asleep" in the second. This comment reflected the monotony in the Red Devils' playing style, despite their numerous scoring opportunities.
In this context, there's some rare good news coming from Jeremy Doku. The Manchester City player recently became a father and is returning to Seattle after a rushed trip, aiming to be fit in time for the match against New Zealand.
Belgium has few options left. They need De Bruyne, Lukaku, and other leaders to be in top form for their final group stage match. If they fail to beat New Zealand, the 2026 World Cup could become another sad chapter in the decline of Belgium's golden generation of footballers.
Source: https://znews.vn/de-bruyne-thanh-tam-diem-chi-trich-post1662716.html
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