Belgium secures a remarkable 7-0 win in World Cup qualifying, thanks to Doku’s brilliant double. Explore the match details and standout performances here.
Introduction:
Belgium put on a dazzling attacking show to dismantle Liechtenstein 7-0 at the Sclessin Stadium in Liège, continuing their flawless run in the FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA Qualifiers. Jeremy Doku led the charge with a brilliant brace. At the same time, Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Charles De Ketelaere all found the net in a festival of football that delighted the home supporters.
The Red Devils were relentless from start to finish. Their crisp passing, sharp movements, and collective discipline reflected a team rediscovering its ruthless edge. Coach Domenico Tedesco, looking to blend experience with youthful energy, witnessed arguably his most complete performance since taking charge.
Early Composure and Tactical Control
From the opening whistle, Belgium asserted total authority over proceedings. Playing in front of a packed Liège crowd, they immediately pinned Liechtenstein deep into their own half. Kevin De Bruyne, operating as the creative hub, orchestrated attacks with elegant control while Romelu Lukaku’s movement disrupted the defensive line.
Liechtenstein adopted a deep 5-4-1 formation, hoping to absorb Belgium’s pressure and hit on rare counterattacks. For the first 20 minutes, the visitors managed to restrict space in central areas, but Belgium’s patience soon paid off as the tempo increased.
Every passing sequence seemed timed with precision, probing for vulnerabilities. Wingers Doku and Saelemaekers repeatedly switched flanks, stretching the defense and forcing errors. The Red Devils began to find flow—an ominous sign for their outmatched opponents.
Vanaken Opens the Floodgates
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute through Hans Vanaken, and once the midfielder scored, Belgium’s confidence soared. The Club Brugge captain, often a quiet orchestrator, ghosted into the box to meet a pinpoint cross from De Bruyne and directed a looping header past the helpless Benjamin Büchel.
It was a goal carved straight from Belgium’s training ground—a clean passing pattern, clever movement, and a perfectly timed finish. The eruption of cheers from the home crowd reflected not only the goal but also the relief from mounting pressure.
At 1-0, there was no holding back. Belgium smelled blood, increasing pace and aggression as wave after wave of attacks poured forward.
Doku Doubles the Advantage Before the Break
Just before halftime, in the 41st minute, Jeremy Doku made it 2-0 with a moment of trademark brilliance. Collecting the ball on the right wing, the Manchester City speedster cut inside, beat a defender with a feint, and unleashed a curling effort into the bottom corner.
The goal encapsulated everything Doku brings to Belgium—fearless dribbling, directness, and clinical finishing. His celebration, full of energy and emotion, echoed the mood both on the pitch and in the stands as Belgium headed into the half with a commanding cushion.
Tedesco’s halftime message was simple: keep the intensity. The coach knew that this game provided both a chance to rack up goals and a platform to test his tactical depth before tougher fixtures ahead.
Second-Half Explosion
Few could have predicted how ruthless Belgium’s second-half display would become. Within just seven minutes after the restart, they turned a comfortable lead into a full-blown annihilation.
Jeremy Doku struck again in the 52nd minute, completing his brace. This time, the goal was all about composure and positioning. Following a clever one-two between Lukaku and De Bruyne, a cutback rolled invitingly into Doku’s path, and he placed his shot effortlessly into the top-left corner. The crowd rose again, applauding the winger’s flair and confidence.
Three minutes later, in the 55th minute, Brandon Mechele got in on the act. The Brugge defender capitalized on a loose ball following a corner and smashed home from close range for 4-0. His celebration, surrounded by teammates, symbolized Belgium’s collective unity—every department contributing, from defense to attack.
Two minutes later, the onslaught continued. In the 57th minute, Alexis Saelemaekers added the fifth, finishing coolly after another fluid passage of play. The AC Milan winger showed impeccable timing, arriving late inside the box to slot home Vanaken’s low cross.
Then, as if to underline Belgium’s attacking superiority, Charles De Ketelaere made it six in the 59th minute. The young forward capped a wonderful team move after an intricate passing exchange that sliced through a fatigued Liechtenstein defense. His grounded finish showcased both precision and maturity beyond his years.
Relentless From Every Angle
After that relentless seven-minute period of brilliance, Belgium played with freedom and flair, their passing rhythm almost hypnotic. Every touch seemed to carry confidence; every attack felt like a potential goal.
Liechtenstein’s defenders looked exhausted, unable to track runs or hold defensive shape. The midfield pairing of Sandro Wieser and Marcel Büchel were completely overrun by Belgium’s fluid rotations and overlapping runs from Youri Tielemans and Leandro Trossard.
Belgium, however, showed professionalism in maintaining control. Instead of chasing desperation goals, they managed tempo smartly—switching from high pressing to tactical patience when needed. Their dominance was not only reflected in the scoreline but also in how seamlessly they transitioned from attack to defense.
Late Seventh Seals the Statement
The seventh and final goal came midway through the second half, courtesy of substitute Lois Openda. The forward, introduced to inject pace, made an instant impact. Picking up a through ball from Tielemans, he surged beyond the tiring defenders and rifled the ball into the net.
The goal capped a perfect evening and gave the home crowd yet another reason to rise to their feet. Openda’s enthusiastic reaction embodied the collective joy and confidence in the Red Devils camp—a team rediscovering its spark under Tedesco.
Tedesco Delighted With Ruthless Mindset
After the match, coach Domenico Tedesco praised his players for their professionalism and unselfishness. “We wanted intensity, precision, and hunger,†he said. “Every player delivered. This performance was about mentality as much as quality.â€
He particularly singled out Doku for his maturity and efficiency. “Jeremy is developing into a complete player. He’s not just dribbling now—he’s making smarter decisions, finishing chances, and helping defensively.â€
Tedesco also commended the balance provided by his midfielders and defenders, noting the collective discipline that allowed Belgium to attack with confidence while conceding nothing at the back.
Liechtenstein Outclassed But Determined
For Liechtenstein, it was another tough experience in their challenging qualifying campaign. Manager Rene Pauritsch acknowledged the gulf in class but remained optimistic about his team’s learning process.
“Belgium are one of the strongest teams in Europe right now, and they showed why,†he admitted. “For our players, this kind of test is part of development. We have a young group trying to learn and grow at this level.â€
Despite the heavy defeat, Liechtenstein’s early resistance and commitment to defensive structure in the first half offered some positives before Belgium’s avalanche of goals took over.
Doku, Vanaken, and Youthful Firepower Shine
Belgium’s standout performer was Jeremy Doku, whose brace and constant threat terrorized the visitors’ defense. His chemistry with De Bruyne and Lukaku added dynamism to Belgium’s attack, providing pace and unpredictability that few defenders can handle.
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Hans Vanaken’s leadership and goal from midfield exemplified his quiet influence, while De Ketelaere and Saelemaekers continued to show why Belgium’s new generation is ready to succeed their golden predecessors. Even defensively, Mechele’s contribution highlighted the depth and composure across all lines of the pitch.
A Statement Performance
The emphatic 7-0 scoreline sent a clear message to Belgium’s rivals across Europe. The Red Devils have retooled, refreshed, and are now combining youthful hunger with the tactical intelligence of established stars like De Bruyne, Lukaku, and Tielemans.
With this victory, Belgium remain top of their qualifying group and continue to boast one of the best defensive and attacking records in the UEFA zone. Their passing networks, cohesion, and counter-pressing are finally aligned under Tedesco, giving fans hope that the post–Golden Generation era could yet bring major tournament glory.
As the final whistle blew in Liège, the standing ovation from the home fans captured the emotion of a perfect night—a reaffirmation of belief, power, and attacking joy that once again made Belgian football appear unstoppable.
