Belgium scored six goals for the second World Cup qualifying match in a row as they thrashed Kazakhstan to move above Wales and into second place in Group J.
2026 World Cup qualification Europe
6-0
Match Report
Kazakhstan held firm for the opening 40 minutes, but braces from Kevin De Bruyne and former Manchester City team-mate Jeremy Doku ensured Belgium stayed unbeaten.
Belgium's dominant start was rewarded three minutes before half-time when De Bruyne sent a wonderful curling shot from outside the area beyond Mukhamedjan Seysen.
Doku then doubled the Red Devils' lead just over a minute later after he collected De Bruyne's pass before cutting inside from the left and finishing with ease.
Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin put the result beyond doubt six minutes after the restart, who scored from close range, before Doku grabbed his second of the encounter with a left-footed strike from a tight angle.
Substitute Alexis Saelemaekers then set up De Bruyne to confidently score again, with Thomas Meunier adding further gloss to the scoreline with a curling shot from distance.
Score so nice, we did it twice. #ScoredWithING pic.twitter.com/0aNGbIfsAL
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 7, 2025
Data Debrief: Rampant Belgium and De Bruyne prove too much for visitors
Belgium were an attacking threat throughout the match with 35 shots in total, their most in World Cup qualifying so far and an overall expected goals (xG) total of 3.56 compared to just 0.23 for the visitors.
They have now scored in 23 consecutive World Cup qualifying matches, which is their longest ever run, while De Bruyne continued his recent strong form, and he now has four goals and one assist in his last three qualifying matches for his country.
Saelemaekers also shone when he came off the bench, picking up two assists and stretching the tired Kazakhstan backline with incisive runs.
Kazakhstan offered little to no threat during the match, with just two shots on target during the whole contest. They have now failed to score in their last three qualifiers, which amounts to 345 minutes without finding the back of the net.
Match Events
0' GOAL! Belgium 3-0 Kazakhstan
0' GOAL! Belgium 4-0 Kazakhstan
0' The match is about to start!
14' Highlight from Belgium vs Kazakhstan
33' Highlight from Belgium vs Kazakhstan
41' GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Kazakhstan
44' GOAL! Belgium 2-0 Kazakhstan (Jérémy Doku)
77' Match Event for Belgium vs Kazakhstan
83' GOAL! Belgium 5-0 Kazakhstan (Kevin De Bruyne)
87' GOAL! Belgium 6-0 Kazakhstan (Thomas Meunier)
Line-ups
Belgium XI: Courtois, De Bruyne, Trossard, Tielemans, Castagne, Nicolas Raskin, Maxim De Cuyper, De Ketelaere, Doku, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate
Subs: Sels, Meunier, Vanaken, Batshuayi, Mechele, Openda, Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles Vanhoutte, Maarten Vandevoordt, Koni De Winter, Malick Fofana, Diego Moreira
Kazakhstan XI: Serikzhan Muzhikov, Yan Vorogovskiy, Alibek Kasym, Oralkhan Omirtaev, Ular Zhaksybaev, Ramazan Orazov, Nuraly Alip, Mukhammedzhan Seysen, Sultanbek Astanov, Maksim Samorodov, Galymzhan Kenzhebek
Subs: Nauryzbek Zhagorov, Bagdat Kairov, Bekkhan Shayzada, Dinmukhamed Karaman, Temirlan Anarbekov, Murodzhon Khalmatov, Almas Tyulyubay, Damir Kasabulat, Islam Chesnokov, Dauren Zhumat, Dastan Satpaev