Belgium’s gift by numbers

• Belgium the initial European side to validate from a Russia 2018 preliminaries 
• Les Diables Rouges have clocked adult an considerable array of stats
• Records have been damaged and others could follow soon

Boasting a watertight defence, a festive array of aggressive stars and an unbreakable group spirit, a benefaction Belgium side is already being oral of as a excellent in a country’s history. Always clever favourites to emerge from Group H of a European gift contest for a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, Les Diables Rouges were wakeful that each opening would be closely scrutinised. They have responded in a best probable manner, putting together a record-breaking campaign. Following a 2-1 attainment divided to Greece on Sunday, Belgium assimilated hosts Russia as a initial nation from a Old Continent to book their place during subsequent year’s tournament.

This challenging Belgian side is roughly unrecognisable from a nation so prolonged accustomed to sweating on FIFA World Cup qualification. Having set a tinge 4 years ago by absolutely engagement their place during Brazil 2014, Les Diables Rouges have lifted a bar even serve in sealing their thirteenth entrance during a world’s premier tournament. FIFA.com looks during a numbers behind Belgium’s progress, as good as some annals that demeanour set to tumble as a group continue their indomitable impetus towards Russia 2018.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Belgium turn a second European team, after hosts Russia, to secure their place during subsequent year’s #WorldCup! pic.twitter.com/b14kFEBPER

— #WCQ (@FIFAWorldCup) September 3, 2017

The box for a defence
All good teams are built on a foundations of a plain rearguard. The Belgians exaggerate one of a meanest defensive annals in Europe, carrying conceded usually 3 goals in 8 qualifiers. Only Estonia and Greece, twice, have found a approach past Thibault Courtois in a Belgian goal.

On a attack
With 35 goals scored in 8 games, Roberto Martinez’s charges have so distant valid to be Europe’s many inclusive marksmen. Their idea disproportion stands during a challenging +32 with dual games still to play, lifting a spook that Les Diables Rouges might transcend Romania’s all-time idea disproportion record of +33, set during gift for France 1998.

Unstoppable Lukaku
Paul outpost Himst has prolonged been deliberate a best Belgian footballer of all time. However, nonetheless it is tough to review players from opposite eras, a statistics pronounce for themselves: Van Himst’s standing as his country’s joint-highest idea scorer in history, that he shares with Bernard Voorhoof, is entrance underneath critical threat. Romelu Lukaku, now on 27 goals, is quick coming a 30 strikes purebred by a former Belgium conduct coach. The 24-year-old has scored 10 times in 8 matches on a highway to Russia 2018, including a winning idea opposite Greece on Sunday that hermetic his country’s place during subsequent year’s tournament.

The invincibles
Les Diables Rouges have not been beaten in a World Cup qualifier given a 2-0 retreat during a hands of Estonia in Oct 2009. The group has now left 18 matches though defeat, a run that they will be anticipating to extend to Russia and beyond.

#WCQ | Group H (EUROPE)
Estonia 1-0 Cyprus
Gibraltar 0-4 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Greece 1-2 Belgium pic.twitter.com/nbA4PTiwIh

— #WCQ (@FIFAWorldCup) September 3, 2017

Old heads on immature shoulders
“If you’re good enough, you’re aged enough.” For Belgium, a explanation is there for all to see in a figure of star performers Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany. The latter – now his country’s captain – done his general entrance opposite France in 2004 before his 18th birthday, a attainment matched by Chelsea midfielder Hazard opposite Luxembourg 4 years later. However, a achievements of both players were eclipsed by a Manchester United striker, whose initial ambience of general football came opposite Croatia in 2010 during a age of only 16 years and 294 days.

To top it all…
By now, Belgium fable Jan Ceulemans is good wakeful that time is scarcely adult for his all-time record of 96 general appearances. Ten members of a stream inhabitant patrol have already racked adult over 60 caps. Jan Vertonghen is by no means a youngest of them, though it is a Tottenham defender who looks set to take Ceulemans’ record. He distinguished his 95th appearance for his nation with a idea opposite Greece, and in doing so changed one top transparent of Timmy Simons and into second place on a all-time list.

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=9/news=les-diables-rouges-en-russie-par-la-grande-porte-2906664-2906769.html