Three players from Belgium were in the starting lineup for an English Premier League team for the first time ever. Tottenham Hotspur began Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele, and newly acquired Nacer Chadli in their 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday. At Selhurst Park, Dembele was a little slow to get going, but all eyes were on Chadli as he filled in for Gareth Bale on the left wing. Vertonghen, playing as a central defender, appeared confident the entire time.
The 24-year-old put in a ton of effort, but his final third play lacked finesse. Aaron Lennon fired a cross toward the far post in stoppage time of the first half. Chadli moved up beyond his defender, but he was only able to “shoulder” the ball over the bar. In the second half, Chadli had a better opportunity, but his shot was weak and went straight at the goalkeeper. Chadli appeared eager but apprehensive throughout the majority of the game, a quality that can be applied to the most exciting player now playing for Belgium.
Belgium, which was ranked 40th in September, is now at position 10 according to FIFA. With three games remaining, they lead Croatia by three points in their World Cup qualifying group. For the first time since 2002, Marc Wilmots’ team has a virtually assured spot in the World Cup—a minimal prerequisite given the talent they possess.
In their most recent international match, a fun 0-0 draw with France last week, Belgium started a central defense of Daniel Van Buyten and Vincent Kompany with fullbacks Sebastien Pocognoli and Toby Alderweireld. Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen, the club captain of Arsenal, were conspicuously absent from the starting lineup, thus Nicolas Lombaerts and Jelle van Damme came off the bench. When chosen, Premier League players Kompany, Vertonghen, and Vermaelen are certain starts, while Alderweireld can play right back. Karim Benzema, who hasn’t scored for Les Blues in more than a year, struggled throughout the friendly but was easily contained.
