Nicolas Raskin

Presses for starting role

Raskin recorded one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Monday's 1-1 draw against Egypt.

Analysis: Raskin came off the bench in the second half to replace Amadou Onana and immediately demonstrated the pressing intensity and ball-winning aggression that had been missing from Belgium's midfield throughout the first hour, registering two tackles and injecting a dynamism that helped his side control the final stages after Romelu Lukaku's equalizing impact. The midfielder's lively display stood in sharp contrast to Onana's more subdued performance and will force a genuine selection debate ahead of the Iran fixture, with Raskin making a strong case for a starting role in a match Belgium simply cannot afford to drop points in. His energy and physicality in central areas give Belgium an important alternative midfield profile, and his performance in Seattle showed that he has more than just a substitute role to fight for as the tournament progresses with Belgium.