Belgium continued their strong start to World Cup qualifying with a 6-0 win over Liechtenstein in Group J.
2026 World Cup qualification Europe
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Match Report
Youri Tielemans, who was named as captain by Rudi Garcia this week, scored two goals including a stunning volley, while Maxim De Cuyper, Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne and Malick Fofana all got on the scoresheet as Belgium moved within three points of group leaders Wales with two games in hand.
Belgium made a strong start to the match, with De Cuyper going close twice before breaking the deadlock. He managed to guide Thomas Meunier's cross into the top-right corner with a brilliant header in the 29th minute.
Tielemans then doubled their lead less than 30 seconds into the second half when Liechtenstein failed to properly clear a long ball and Tielemans struck a first-time effort beyond the reach of Benjamin Buchel.
The visitors then extended their advantage with a quickfire double on the hour mark. Theate, who rattled the woodwork in the first half, headed home from De Cuyper's cross before De Bruyne coolly finished past Buchel two minutes later.
Tielemans scored his second from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Alessio Hasler was penalised for a high challenge on Theate, before Fofana completed the rout in additional time with a curling finish into the bottom-right corner.
Although Lois Openda and Fofana missed great chances for Belgium, they still managed to overperform their expected goals (xG) total of 3.33. Liechtenstein, meanwhile, failed to register a single shot in the match.
Belgium have moved away from the wing-back system we are used to seeing, but De Cuyper and Meunier still produced game-changing performances.
De Cuyper recorded the most shots (four), second-most dribbles completed (three), second-most chances created (three), and second-most touches along with his goal and assist.
And Meunier created the most chances (four) and completed the most interceptions (two) of any player, while also taking two shots and completing 90% of his passes.
Line-ups
Liechtenstein XI: Benjamin Büchel, Nicolas Hasler, Sandro Wolfinger, Aron Sele, Maximilian Göppel, Andreas Malin, Jens Hofer, Ferhat Saglam, Simon Lüchinger, Lars Traber, Fabio Luque-Notaro
Subs: Fabio Wolfinger, Livio Meier, Willy Pizzi, Justin Ospelt, Andrin Netzer, Niklas Beck, Tim-Tiado Oehri, Severin Schlegel, Emanuel Zünd, Alessio Hasler, Felix Oberwaditzer, Jonas Weissenhofer
Belgium XI: Courtois, De Bruyne, Meunier, Vanaken, Tielemans, Openda, Maxim De Cuyper, Doku, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Malick Fofana
Subs: Sels, Trossard, Batshuayi, Mechele, Castagne, Nicolas Raskin, Alexis Saelemaekers, Charles Vanhoutte, Maarten Vandevoordt, De Ketelaere, Koni De Winter, Diego Moreira