The Belgian media was united in its praise for the team’s performance last night against Costa Rica. It was seen as the ideal send-off for Russia and there was universal approval for captain Eden Hazard’s display of his talents.
His main lieutenants were Romelu Lukaku (two goals and an assist), the hard-working Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens (goal and assist). Axel Witsel, in a more attacking mode, was also applauded. Less agreement though on the back three and the wing-backs, where Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier did not convince all.
| TEAM | DH | Le Soir | HLN | Average | |
| Courtois | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6.2 | |
| Alderweireld | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6.2 | |
| Boyata | 6 | 6.5 | 5 | 5.8 | |
| Vertonghen | 6.5 | 5 | 6 | 5.8 | |
| Meunier | 6 | 6.5 | 5 | 5.8 | |
| Witsel | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 6.5 | |
| De Bruyne | 8 | 7.5 | 7 | 7.5 | |
| Carrasco | 6 | 6.5 | 5 | 5.8 | |
| Mertens | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7.3 | |
| Lukaku R | 7.5 | 8 | 8 | 7.8 | |
| Hazard E | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8.3 | |
| Hazard T | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6 | 6.3 | |
| Chadli | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 6.5 | |
| Dendoncker | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6.3 | |
| Batshuayi | 6.5 | 7 | 7 | 6.8 | |
| Tielemans | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6 | 6.3 | |
| Dembele | 6 | 6 | 6.0 |