Kevin De Bruyne

If this is their final World Cup, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne gave everything for their country 🇧🇪

Kevin De Bruyne's reaction as Belgium falls to Spain in the Quarterfinals

IS THIS THE LAST WE SEE OF KEVIN DE BRUYNE AT A WORLD CUP? 😢

Kevin De Bruyne is back for Belgium, having been left out completely for the 4-1 win over the U.S. It's no surprise to see him return given Amadou Onana's injury, but also with the game against Spain likely to be played at a slightly more sedate pace if, as expected, Luis de la Fuente's side dominate possession. A couple of games this tournament have passed the ageing De Bruyne by, but perhaps today could be his "Last Dance". Jeremy Doku also returns to the Belgium side (he was on the bench against the U.S.) but Romelu Lukaku continues in his super-sub role. Manager Rudi Garcia spoke this week about having a starting XI and a group of finishers, Lukaku being the prime example. Belgium have scored six goals beyond the 85th minute in their last three matches. 📝 @TimSpiers Spain vs Belgium live blog:

Rudi Garcia adds a maverick element to the Belgian setup. The former Marseille, Lyon and Napoli manager was four minutes away from his Belgium stint ending against Senegal. His contract is up at the end of the tournament and, having substituted Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, his decisions would have been ridiculed had Belgium gone out. Instead, since the 86th minute against Senegal, they have scored seven goals (all with De Bruyne off the field) and looked a completely different team in defence and attack, producing incisive, fast-paced football. Garcia's team selections and unorthodox, unpredictable calls during games can raise eyebrows. He dropped De Bruyne and Doku against the U.S. and one backroom staff member, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, said: "Sometimes even we are like, 'What the f*** is he doing?'." No one seems to know what he will do next. Garcia wasn't exactly popular with Belgium fans but since that Senegal match, a website has been set up where they can apologise to him. 'Sorry Rudi' had more than 10,000 apologies or comments posted on it as of Thursday. 📝 @TimSpiers 🔗

Neither Jeremy Doku nor Kevin De Bruyne are in Belgium's starting XI vs. the USMNT 😮

With 86 minutes on the clock it was effectively all over. Senegal were 2-0 up, their fans were partying in the stands and Belgium were going through the motions. The Belgium golden generation obituaries were being written, not least after their greatest ever player Kevin De Bruyne – plus a seemingly disgusted Jeremy Doku – were substituted after just 55 minutes. Senegal were excellent value for their famous imminent victory. Precisely 159 seconds later, the scoreline was 2-2 thanks to one of the most unlikely World Cup comebacks in living memory. It was a comeback as devastatingly clinical as it was unlikely, recalling a previous miraculous Belgium recovery when they came from 2-0 down to beat Japan in the last 16 in 2018. This was the first occasion this tournament of a team recovering from 2-0 down and was an occasion no one inside Seattle Stadium will ever forget. 📝 @TimSpiers

Belgium were 2-0 down when Jeremy Dolu and Kevin De Bruyne were taken off. They ended up winning the game 3-2. 👀

Kevin De Bruyne’s game by numbers vs. Senegal: 71% pass accuracy 35 touches 1 chance created 0 shots on target 0 accurate crosses 0 duels won 0 assists 0 goals Playable. 😅

Kevin De Bruyne, Chris Wood on Vancouver as a host city

Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne ⚔️ Who's your choice? 🇧🇪

Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne ⚔️ Who's your choice? 🇧🇪