In the decisive final qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Belgian national team showcased overwhelming strength, utterly dismantling Liechtenstein with a comprehensive 7-0 victory at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne. Supported by the passionate cheers of over 27,000 home fans, Coach Rudi Garcia and his squad transformed the crucial qualifier into a spectacular football festival, ensuring their automatic ticket to the finals.
Dominant First Half Paced by Doku’s Brilliance
Belgium secured a favorable start very early in the contest. Just three minutes in, Hans Vanaken opened the scoring, finishing a precise assist from Youri Tielemans. This quick goal alleviated any lingering pressure on the home side, particularly following a frustrating prior draw against Kazakhstan, and set the tone for the dominance that followed.
Despite the early lead, the one-sided affair was truly solidified towards the end of the first half, largely thanks to the sensational performance of Jeremy Doku. The Manchester City star was an electric force down the left wing, his pace and dribbling proving too much for the Liechtenstein defense.
Doku netted two consecutive goals to widen the gap. His first, in the 34th minute, came courtesy of a clever pass from Alexis Saelemaekers. His second, in the 41st minute, was a dazzling display of individual skill, involving a technical dribble followed by a precise shot into the far corner. Doku was not merely an effective goal-scorer but also a constant creator of dangerous opportunities, completely dismantling the visitors' defensive structure. The first half ended with Belgium firmly in command.
The Second Half Goal Avalanche
The second half witnessed a spectacular torrent of goals as Belgium ruthlessly exploited the gaps in the opposition defense, scoring four times in a blistering seven-minute spell. The floodgates opened with goals from Brandon Mechele and Alexis Saelemaekers.
However, the spotlight then shifted to Charles De Ketelaere. Operating effectively in the ‘false nine’ role, De Ketelaere demonstrated his sharp finishing and intelligent positional play by scoring twice in quick succession—in the 57th and 59th minutes. His brace was a testament to his ability to find space and clinically execute his chances, contributing significantly to Liechtenstein’s irreversible defeat.
Belgium’s attacking depth and efficiency proved staggering, with the final goal of the evening securing the remarkable 7-0 final scoreline and confirming their superiority in the group.
Qualification Secured and Future Aspirations
For the visiting Liechtenstein side, the match proved to be a difficult affirmation of their struggles in the qualifying campaign, as they continued their streak of failing to register a single goal throughout the entire group stage. Their expected goals (xG) metric of 0.04 accurately reflected their near-total helplessness against Belgium’s solid defensive organization and relentless attack.
This overwhelming 7-0 victory not only ensured Belgium retained the top spot in Group H but also officially guaranteed their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in North America. The result sends Wales, who finished second, into the challenging play-off round.
With the explosive form displayed by key attackers such as Doku and the clinical nature of De Ketelaere, the “Red Devils” are emphatically asserting their status. By blending experience with electrifying young talent, Belgium is positioning itself as a serious contender for the gold trophy in 2026, building significant momentum and confidence on their journey to conquer the global stage.