Zeno Debast returned to training on Sunday after a follow-up MRI scan produced positive results, a useful boost for Belgium before their round of 32 tie with Senegal. He has not played at this tournament because of a leg injury suffered on club duty in Portugal in early May. The more likely outcome, though, is that Belgium keep the same back line and leave Debast on the bench for Belgium vs Senegal in Seattle.

Belgium's defensive continuity

Rudi Garcia has already hinted at that route. "Garcia seems unlikely to make many changes to the XI that started that rout of the All Whites in Vancouver," he said, and his other line is even plainer: "The 22-year-old seems unlikely to start as Group G winners Belgium meet Senegal in a knockout tie in Seattle on Wednesday."

That fits the way Belgium have been managing the tournament. Arthur Theate was drafted in for the 5-1 win over New Zealand after Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the goalless draw with Iran, then Belgium reverted to the front four of Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere against New Zealand. Theate's 6.65 rating suggests cover, not an automatic promotion, while Ngoy's 6.9 in his 66-minute run against Iran was followed by the red-card setback that altered the defensive picture.

The case for keeping faith

The strongest argument for continuity is that Belgium's regulars have already done enough to justify it. Youri Tielemans has a 7.33 rating across three appearances and 271 minutes, while Timothy Castagne has posted 7.13 in three appearances. Those are the kind of returns that make a coach reluctant to shuffle just because one option is back in training.

Debast still changes the picture because he gives Belgium another fit defender at exactly the right moment. He just does not look like an automatic starter yet, and on the evidence available Garcia is more likely to trust the group that has carried Belgium through the group stage than to force a reset against Senegal.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →