Belgium's striker conundrum forces Garcia to choose a new front line

While Charles De Ketelaere has been running kilometres, applying pressure and holding the ball for Belgium, his placement as a deep striker has proved ineffective; in contrast, Romelu Lukaku, despite limited minutes this season, continues to deliver decisive impact as a supersub.

De Ketelaere’s effort cannot be questioned; he has covered extensive distances, pressed opponents and kept possession, helping teammates perform better. No one can accuse him of lacking commitment.

However, after four World Cup matches it is clear that De Ketelaere is not a natural deep‑forward. He thrives between the lines, preferring to feel the ball, combine and create space, not to face two towering centre‑backs with his back to goal.

Against Senegal the limitation became stark. Belgium had no player to force the defence back, and De Ketelaere’s work rate could not compensate for the lack of depth until Romelu Lukaku entered the field, shifting the game’s dynamics.

Lukaku has played little this season because of injury and admits he is not yet fully fit, needing to build minutes carefully. He performed well versus Egypt, scored after a substitution versus New Zealand, and sparked a comeback against Senegal.

When he started against Iran, his influence was muted as the match progressed, highlighting the advantage of a fresh striker against tiring defenders. A revitalised Lukaku remains Belgium’s most dangerous weapon in such scenarios.

Matias Fernandez‑Pardo, the 21‑year‑old forward from Lille, confirmed his commitment to Belgium shortly before the World Cup. Coach Rudi Garcia identified him as an additional option because the other strikers entered the tournament with questions.

Fernandez‑Pardo brings speed, depth and a relentless drive to chase defenders, forcing them to retreat and thereby opening space for players such as Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne.

Garcia could deploy Fernandez‑Pardo for sixty to seventy minutes to tire the back line before introducing Lukaku as a supersub; Lukaku’s three decisive cameo appearances already demonstrate the potency of that approach.