Belgium leave Lukaku on bench for Senegal clash

Belgium face Senegal in a crucial World Cup last-16 clash in Seattle at 2:00 am Bangladesh time on Thursday, July 2, with both sides aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia sprung a major surprise by leaving out the team's all-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku from the starting XI. Charles De Ketelaere leads the attack, supported by the experienced Kevin De Bruyne, pacy winger Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard. Captain Youri Tielemans will lead the team from midfield.

Thibaut Courtois starts in goal, with Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Arthur Theate and Maxim De Cuyper in defence. Hans Vanaken partners Tielemans in midfield, with De Bruyne deployed in an advanced creative role.

Senegal have also made changes, with captain Kalidou Koulibaly, forward Nicolas Jackson and midfielder Lamine Camara all starting on the bench. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy misses out due to injury, replaced by Mor Diouf.

The match promises to be a fascinating contest between Belgium's creativity and Senegal's physicality.

Belgium starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Arthur Theate, Maxim De Cuyper; Youri Tielemans (c), Hans Vanaken; Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard; Charles De Ketelaere.

Senegal starting XI: Mor Diouf; Krepin Diatta, Moussa Niakhate, Pathe Ciss, Ismail Jakobs; Habib Diarra, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye; Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr.