Both sides survived group-stage scares to reach Seattle. Kevin De Bruyne seeks momentum for the Red Devils, while Senegal navigates a goalkeeping crisis in this high-stakes knockout clash.
Group G winners Belgium will face off against third-placed Group I finishers Senegal at the Seattle Stadium on the first of July at 1 PM local time (9 PM BST) in what will be a major test for both sides.
While Belgium were favourites to top Group G before the World Cup kicked off, they didn't make it easy for themselves, as it was still possible for the Red Devils to not even qualify for the knockouts going into their last fixture.
Rudi Garcia's side opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, before their fixture against Iran ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw, raising many questions about Belgium's chances to make it far at this World Cup.
However, the ninth-ranked side according to FIFA finally turned up when their backs were against the wall, convincingly beating New Zealand 5-1 to finish top of the group on goal difference after Egypt failed to beat Iran.
It was far from easy for Belgium, but the same could be said for Senegal, who also qualified for the knockout stage on the final day. The Lions of Teranga faced a much tougher group phase than their Wednesday opponents, being drawn into a group with France and Norway.
Pape Thiaw's side faced back-to-back defeats against France and Norway, meaning they needed a big result on the final day against Iraq. They did just that, beating them 5-0 to give themselves a great chance of making it into the Round of 32.
Due to the expanded tournament, the best eight third-placed group stage finishers would also qualify for the knockout stage. Senegal just made it through and was the only nation with three points to advance to the next round, thanks to their superior goal difference.
Team news
Belgium go into this tie facing no new injury concerns, with Zeno Debast remaining a doubt with a leg injury, but the defender did participate in his first training session of the tournament, so could feature from the bench.
After looking back at his best against New Zealand, Kevin De Bruyne will be looking to lead his side into the Round of 16, but the same can't be said for Romelu Lukaku, who has looked very unfit in his cameos so far.
Although he has provided immediate impacts when coming off the bench, forcing an Egyptian own goal in the opening game, and scoring the goal that secured Belgium's first-placed Group G finish, both of which occurred almost immediately after coming off the bench, he has looked quite off the pace.
Leandro Trossard impressed against New Zealand, with his brace inspiring the Red Devils' impressive display against the All Whites. With Charles De Ketelaere also failing to impress up front, Trossard, flanked by Jeremy Doku on the left and Alexis Saelemaekers on the right, could be a potential option that Rudi Garcia lines up with.
Senegal, on the other hand, face a major concern regarding their starting goalkeeper, with Edouard Mendy set to miss the Round of 32 fixture due to a knee injury sustained against Norway, throwing his participation into serious doubt.
After a poor performance against Norway, captain Kalidou Koulibaly was benched for their final game against Iraq, with his replacement, Abdoulaye Seck, impressing, leaving Pape Thiaw with a major decision to make.
Prediction
Senegal will certainly be the toughest nation that Belgium have faced so far at this World Cup, but after recovering from their poor start to life in Group G, they go into this game with the confidence that they can score goals, finally bringing an end to a 69-shot stretch without a goal for the Red Devils.
Rudi Garcia will know that his side's performance will have to go up a level to make it to the Round of 16, but will be confident that the Red Devils can score goals against Senegal, whose defence hasn't looked as secure as the likes of Iran's and Egypt's, which Belgium struggled to penetrate.
The goals have been shared across the Belgian forward line, made all the more dangerous by the Red Devils' midfield, who have dominated possession throughout the group stage, with De Bruyne particularly impressing against New Zealand on the final day.
Belgium's defence also hasn't looked particularly strong, so the likes of Sadio Mane and Ismaïla Sarr will be a threat to Thibaut Courtois, but expect the Red Devils to edge this Round of 32, and progress to the Round of 16, where they would face the winner of the United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Prediction: Belgium 2-1 Senegal
