The gamble returned to full action after undergoing three ankle surgeries in recent months. Witsel played the first full match after the January injury to Achilles’ tendon, and De Bruyne was back after a double fracture in his face in the Champions League final.
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Belgian Romelu Lukaku is happy with a goal against Russia.
Anton Vaganov, Reuters
After deciding the previous duel with the Danes by a goal (2: 1), De Bruyne now added an assist against the Finns to Romelu Lukaku’s second goal. He earned an award for the best player of the match for his performance. “I’m happy, but the most important thing is how we play as a team,” said De Bruyne.
Martínez also praised the performance of all three key midfielders. “For example, Eden pushed a lot forward and got into good positions. It was the first time in a long time that I saw Eden Hazard spinning a ball or looping left and right again. He feels great and his body responds well. He looks happily, “the coach smiled.
The favored Belgians, who are in first place in the FIFA rankings, have not yet lost a point in the tournament and have not lost the 12th game in a row. They have lost only once in the last 26 matches. “It is gratifying to see that every player on the court has been involved in some way in the process. Our team has been consistent over the last five years and now each of us has to do our best,” Martínez said before the elimination fights.
In the round of 16, Belgium will face the third team in groups A, D, E, or F. “The elimination part will be very different from the basic one. We must not make a single mistake, because otherwise we can go home right away. .
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