Kevin De Bruyne delivered a vintage display with two goals to lead Belgium past Turkey 3-0 on Friday evening at Sclessin Stadium in Liège, though the performance exposed persistent defensive vulnerabilities that left analysts questioning the team’s overall control. Playing in front of a vociferous crowd featuring a large contingent of vocal visiting supporters chanting for Turkey, Mark Van Bommel’s side relied on the individual brilliance of their veteran stars to secure the result.
De Bruyne Breaks the Deadlock at Sclessin
The match started at a frantic pace under the guidance of Norwegian referee Saggi. Following early defensive clearances by Ngoy against Turkish forward Yilmaz, the Belgian attack found its rhythm through Youri Tielemans and Stanley Godts. In the 10th minute, Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring with a signature right-footed strike into the corner of Ugurcan Cakir’s goal.
Turkey responded through Real Madrid playmaker Arda Güler, who tested Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 16th and 27th minutes. The player from Real Madrid is the clear factor X of Vincenzo Montella’s troops, and tested the attention of an applied Lammens again in the 27th minute. If the Turks showed themselves to be increasingly threatening by taking advantage of turnovers to create chances, notably on set pieces, the Red Devils were not to be outdone and came very close to breaking the game open. Despite Turkish pressure and set-piece threats, Belgium came close to doubling their lead before halftime when Hans Vanaken missed a clever effort and Dodi Lukebakio struck the post in the 36th minute. Merih Demiral squandered a close-range opportunity for Turkey just before the interval.
Midfield Adjustments Securing the Victory
The second half maintained the chaotic tempo, with Güler threatening from distance in the 54th minute and Lukebakio hitting the post again shortly after. At the hour mark, Godts created the opening for De Bruyne to sweep a brilliant shot into the top corner, doubling the advantage to 2-0.
Manager Mark Van Bommel introduced Roméo Lavia in place of Vanaken immediately following the second goal. According to match reporting, Lavia’s arrival provided a natural number six role that finally stabilized the Belgian midfield, halting the steady stream of Turkish counter-attacks that had troubled the hosts throughout the first hour.
Lukaku Caps the Scoreline Against Sceptics
Romelu Lukaku entered the match later in the second half, replacing Charles De Ketelaere on the right side of the attack. With a quarter-hour remaining, De Ketelaere set up Lukaku, who scored his first goal of the season against a nation that has frequently heckled him since his arrival in the Turkish Süper Lig.
The 3-0 final score flattered a Belgian side that suffered from frequent turnovers and defensive lapses. But during that first hour, he still clearly had his place with the Red Devils, while Big Rom, author of the 3-0 as a penalty-box fox, also received praise from newspaper colleagues, who noted that Romelu Lukaku defies almost all the laws of football.
Belgium Faces France Without Tielemans and De Bruyne
Belgium turns its attention to an upcoming fixture against France on Monday. The Red Devils will travel without influential midfielders Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne, both of whom are suspended following accumulated cautions.
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