Belgium ran riot 5-0 against Tunisia with five different goal scorers in their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in America.
From the opening whistle, the home side demonstrated the fluidity and creative intensity that manager Rudi Garcia has been working to instill.
For the thousands of fans in attendance, it was a performance that proved Belgium’s status as a formidable contender on the global stage.
The friendly began with Belgium controlling the tempo, probing the Tunisian defensive structure with sharp, vertical passing and high-pressing maneuvers.
While Tunisia arrived in Brussels with ambitions to test their mettle against European royalty, they struggled to cope with the relentless pace set by the Belgian midfield.
​The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Leandro Trossard found the back of the net. The goal served as the catalyst for a dominant display.
As the first half drew to a close, Belgium held a narrow but well-deserved 1-0 lead, though the statistics suggested that a flood of goals might be imminent.
Following the interval, the rhythm of the game shifted from clinical control to total dominance. Belgium’s tactical superiority became increasingly evident as they exploited the gaps in the Tunisian defense with surgical precision.
The turning point of the match arrived in the 61st minute when Tunisia was reduced to ten men, leaving the visitors struggling to contain the relentless wave of Belgian attacks.
Belgium capitalized on the numerical advantage immediately. Charles De Ketelaere doubled the lead shortly after the break with a precise strike from the edge of the box that left the goalkeeper stranded.
As the pressure mounted, midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne added a third, finishing off a beautifully orchestrated counter-attack that highlighted the squad’s efficiency in transition in the 65th minute.
As the match entered its closing stages, the Red Devils showed no signs of slowing down. Dodi Lukébakio, having been introduced as a substitute, effectively turned the game into a rout by curling a shot into the bottom corner that made it 4-0.
Nicolas Raskin provided the final flourish just moments later, slotting home a well-worked team effort to secure a commanding 5-0 victory.
As the final whistle echoed throughout the King Baudouin Stadium, the atmosphere was one of pure optimism.
This five-goal thrashing was the perfect confidence booster for the Red Devils. They have demonstrated an ability to break down defensive blocks, maintain clean sheets, and transition seamlessly under pressure.
For manager Rudi Garcia, this performance provided more than just a scoreline. It served as a testament to his squad’s depth and tactical flexibility.
The strategic use of substitutions, introducing fresh legs like Romelu Lukaku and Axel Witsel, demonstrated that Belgium is a versatile unit capable of maintaining high intensity regardless of the lineup.
​Defensively, the backline was near-impenetrable. Thibaut Courtois enjoyed a quiet afternoon, a direct result of the disciplined structure maintained by the defenders ahead of him.
By limiting Tunisia to only a solitary shot on target throughout the entire 90 minutes, Belgium’s defensive unit signaled that they are well-prepared for the rigors of the upcoming World Cup.
While Tunisia will certainly return to their training camp with a clear understanding of the areas requiring improvement, Belgium walks away from this fixture knowing that their tactical foundation is firmly in place.
With the World Cup on the horizon, the Red Devils look not only prepared but hungry, heading into the tournament as a team fully in sync and firing on all cylinders.
The Belgian national team look ready for the World Cup after this game which gave them everything needed to prepare themselves for what is to come against opponents.
