Maxim De Cuyper downplays comparisons to Romelu Lukaku despite a strong performance in Belgium’s 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein. Belgium is currently third in their World Cup qualifying group. De Cuyper, who scored and assisted, jokes he won’t catch Lukaku’s record. Kevin De Bruyne highlights Belgium’s patience and improved second-half performance.
Maxim De Cuyper has playfully dismissed any comparisons to Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer, Romelu Lukaku, despite continuing his impressive form for the national team. The statement came after Belgium's commanding 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein in a World Cup qualifying match, a game where De Cuyper shone brightly.
Belgium's dominant performance in Group J saw them secure a comfortable win, adding three crucial points to their qualifying campaign. They currently sit in third place, trailing Wales by three points, although with two games in hand, their position looks promising. The match showcased Belgium's attacking depth, with goals from Youri Tielemans, Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne, and Malick Fofana adding to the scoreline.
However, it was De Cuyper who once again captured the attention of fans and pundits alike. The versatile player put in a stellar performance, contributing a goal and an assist. His all-around game was particularly impressive, as he topped the charts with the most shots (four) and ranked second in both dribbles completed (three) and chances created (three). His influence extended across the pitch, evident in his high number of touches throughout the match.
De Cuyper's recent form for Belgium has been nothing short of remarkable. In just 11 appearances, he has already notched four goals and provided two assists. This translates to a goal contribution nearly every other game, a statistic that speaks volumes about his attacking prowess. Interestingly, Lukaku, at the same stage of his international career, had only managed two goals.
When jokingly asked about potentially surpassing Lukaku's goalscoring record, De Cuyper laughed and said, "Ever catch up with Lukaku? That's not going to happen." He added, "It's nice to score those goals. I'm in the right flow and have to enjoy it. Scoring those goals, launching teammates: those are my qualities. Scoring with the head is not."
Game. Set. Match. #ScoredWithING pic.twitter.com/NpFHexxYIs
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 4, 2025
De Cuyper further elaborated on his goal-scoring abilities, saying, "It may have been my first header goal. I hit the ball well. It's one of my better goals."
Reflecting on the match, Belgium's initial struggles in the first half were apparent. Despite controlling possession, they managed only two shots on target, with De Cuyper converting one of those chances. However, a revitalized performance after the break saw them unleash their full potential.
In the second half, Belgium converted five of their seven shots on target, generating an impressive 2.2 expected goals (xG). This marked improvement was a testament to their patience and tactical adjustments. Kevin De Bruyne expressed his satisfaction with the team's persistence, stating, "We created enough opportunities in the first half. They may not have been the biggest, but still."
De Bruyne added, "We often made it to the back line, but the last pass was not great. After 30 to 35 minutes, we felt that they were getting tired, which made it easier in the second half." He emphasized the importance of patience in such matches, saying, "But these matches are never easy. With all due respect to Liechtenstein, but above all, you want to score as much as possible and as quickly as possible. Although you really just have to be patient."
De Bruyne concluded by highlighting the team's self-awareness and ability to make adjustments, saying, "In the second half, it went better, and the coach did not say much during half-time. We knew ourselves that we could be better in front of Liechtenstein's goal." The victory showcased Belgium's quality and determination as they continue their pursuit of a place in the World Cup.