Kevin De Bruyne is reserving judgment on Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, despite the team’s impressive 6-0 victories over Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan. De Bruyne himself scored twice against Kazakhstan and has been in excellent form in World Cup qualifiers. While pleased with the team’s performance and his own contribution, he believes it’s too early to fully assess Garcia’s impact. Jeremy Doku also shone, scoring twice against Kazakhstan on his return to his former club’s stadium. Belgium secured six points during the break and are focused on improving further for crucial matches in October.
Kevin De Bruyne is refraining from passing judgment on Belgium's relatively new head coach, Rudi Garcia, despite the Red Devils' impressive form. Belgium showcased their attacking prowess once again, mirroring their 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein with another emphatic 6-0 win, this time against Kazakhstan. De Bruyne himself played a pivotal role in the latter match, netting two goals and orchestrating the midfield with his signature precision.
De Bruyne's recent performances in World Cup qualifiers have been nothing short of exceptional. The Napoli midfielder has racked up four goals and an assist in his last three appearances, solidifying Belgium's position as a strong contender in Group J. They currently sit in second place, just a single point behind North Macedonia, but crucially, they hold a game in hand. This places them in a favorable position to potentially top the group and secure automatic qualification for the World Cup.
While De Bruyne expressed satisfaction with his individual performance against Kazakhstan, where he also provided an assist for Jeremy Doku, he remained cautious about drawing firm conclusions about Garcia's tenure with the national team just yet. "It all seems pretty fine, but it’s difficult to make a judgment after six months," De Bruyne told VTM, emphasizing the need for more time to fully assess the coach's impact and long-term vision for the team.
Just another Kevin De Bruyne masterclass. pic.twitter.com/ydJW8q22HM
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 7, 2025
Despite his reserved assessment of the coaching situation, De Bruyne acknowledged the positive aspects of the recent matches. "It was good. There are always moments that can be better, but it was a good match," he said, highlighting the team's overall performance and attacking fluidity. He also modestly downplayed his own contributions, adding, "The first goal went in nicely, yes. I got the second one on a platter from Alexis [Saelemaekers]."
The Manchester City star further emphasized the team's collective achievement during this international break. "We have taken six points [during this break], but we have also tried to play good football and have scored many goals. We did our job," De Bruyne stated, underscoring the importance of both results and performance.
Adding to the attacking firepower was Jeremy Doku, who also enjoyed a memorable night against Kazakhstan. Doku, who now plies his trade with Manchester City, scored a brace at Lotto Park, a venue that holds special significance for him as the former home stadium of his youth club, Anderlecht. The young winger expressed his delight at scoring on his return to familiar territory, stating, "It’s always special to return here, it’s been five years." He was also quick to add, "And if you can score twice, that’s nice. I also played better than the previous game."
Doku echoed De Bruyne's sentiments regarding the team's overall success during the international break, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a solid defense. "We did our job during this break: six out of six points. And we didn’t concede a goal, and thus proved that our defence is also stable," he said, highlighting the team's defensive solidity. He added, "That is important. Offensively, we feel that we have dynamic players and a lot of talent. We also know that it will be decisive for us in October. Then we will have to play even better to get the points."
Belgium's dominant performances in these World Cup qualifiers serve as a strong statement of intent as they aim to secure their place in the upcoming tournament. While De Bruyne's cautious approach to evaluating Garcia's leadership is understandable, the team's on-field displays suggest a promising future under the new coach. With a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents, Belgium is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Their upcoming matches in October will be crucial in determining their World Cup qualification fate, and the team will be looking to build on their recent successes and further refine their game under Garcia's guidance.