Belgium dominated their encounters against Liechtenstein during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, securing two massive victories in September and November 2025. The Red Devils showcased their depth and attacking prowess, scoring 13 goals across two matches without conceding a single one.

On September 4, 2025, Belgium secured a 6-0 victory at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz. Two months later, on November 18, they improved that margin with a 7-0 win at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège. These matches were pivotal for Belgium's successful qualification for the upcoming World Cup, while Liechtenstein struggled to contain one of Europe's elite offensive units.

Match 1: Liechtenstein 0-6 Belgium (September 4, 2025)

The first encounter took place during Matchday 5 of the Group Stage. Belgium utilized a versatile 4-1-4-1 formation to break down Liechtenstein’s deep defensive block.

Belgium Starting XI and Player Details

Belgium’s manager, Rudi Garcia, opted for a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars for the away fixture in Vaduz.

  • Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (1) - Had a quiet night with zero saves required but maintained high concentration levels.
  • Right Back: Thomas Meunier (15) - Provided the crucial assist for the opening goal.
  • Center Back: Zeno Debast (2) - Controlled the defensive line with ease.
  • Center Back: Arthur Theate (3) - Scored the third goal in the 60th minute.
  • Left Back: Maxim De Cuyper (5) - Opened the scoring in the 29th minute and was one of the top performers.
  • Defensive Midfield: Youri Tielemans (8) - Captained the side and scored twice, including a penalty in the 70th minute.
  • Central Midfield: Hans Vanaken (20) - Orchestrated the play in the middle of the park.
  • Attacking Midfield (Right): Malick Fofana (14) - Capped the night with a goal in the 90th minute.
  • Attacking Midfield (Center): Kevin De Bruyne (7) - The playmaker added a goal in the 62nd minute.
  • Attacking Midfield (Left): Jérémy Doku (11) - His pace caused constant problems for the Liechtenstein wing-backs.
  • Forward: Loïs Openda (9) - Led the line effectively before being substituted.

Belgium Substitutes:

  • Charles De Ketelaere (17) for Openda (61')
  • Alexis Saelemaekers (22) for Doku (61')
  • Leandro Trossard (10) for De Bruyne (67')
  • Timothy Castagne (21) for De Cuyper (67')
  • Diego Moreira (19) for Meunier (79')

Liechtenstein Starting XI

Konrad Fünfstück set his team up in a 5-3-2 defensive formation, aiming to minimize space in the final third.

  • Goalkeeper: Benjamin Büchel (1)
  • Defenders: Sandro Wolfinger (20), Andreas Malin (6), Lars Traber (4), Jens Hofer (23), Maximilian Göppel (3)
  • Midfielders: Aron Sele (8), Nicolas Hasler (18), Simon Lüchinger (17)
  • Forwards: Fabio Luque Notaro (7), Ferhat Saglam (9)

Liechtenstein Substitutes:

  • William Pizzi (22) for Saglam (63')
  • Alessio Hasler (10) for Sele (63')
  • Livio Meier (14) for Wolfinger (76')
  • Fabio Wolfinger (16) for Lüchinger (84')
  • Emanuel Zünd (19) for Hasler (84')

Match 2: Belgium 7-0 Liechtenstein (November 18, 2025)

The return leg in Liège saw an even more dominant performance from the Red Devils. Playing in front of a home crowd of over 26,000, Belgium dismantled the Liechtenstein defense with rapid transitions and clinical finishing.

Belgium Starting XI (4-2-3-1 Formation)

For the final match of the group stage, Rudi Garcia made several tactical adjustments, giving Senne Lammens a start in goal.

  • Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens (1) - Notched a clean sheet with one save made.
  • Right Back: Thomas Meunier (15) - Continued his creative form with another assist.
  • Center Back: Brandon Mechele (4) - Scored the fourth goal in the 52nd minute and was exceptional in distribution.
  • Center Back: Arthur Theate (3) - A mainstay in the defensive unit.
  • Left Back: Timothy Castagne (21) - Provided width and defensive stability.
  • Midfield: Nicolas Raskin (23) - Controlled the tempo alongside Tielemans.
  • Midfield: Youri Tielemans (8) - The captain again provided an assist and stabilized the midfield.
  • Right Wing: Alexis Saelemaekers (22) - Scored in the 55th minute and provided an assist for Doku.
  • Attacking Midfield: Hans Vanaken (20) - Scored the opening goal just 3 minutes into the match.
  • Left Wing: Jérémy Doku (11) - The Man of the Match, scoring two goals (34', 41') and providing an assist.
  • Forward: Charles De Ketelaere (17) - Had a stellar performance with two goals (57', 59').

Belgium Bench and Impact Players:

  • Axel Witsel (6) for Tielemans (60')
  • Leandro Trossard (10) for Saelemaekers (60')
  • Loïs Openda (9) for De Ketelaere (60')
  • Dodi Lukebakio (14) for Doku (71')
  • Diego Moreira (7) for Vanaken (75')

Liechtenstein Starting XI (3-5-2 Formation)

  • Goalkeeper: Benjamin Büchel (1)
  • Defenders: Andreas Malin (6), Jens Hofer (23), Livio Meier (14)
  • Midfielders: Sandro Wolfinger (20), Simon Lüchinger (17), Nicolas Hasler (18), Aron Sele (8), Maximilian Göppel (3)
  • Forwards: Fabio Luque Notaro (7), Kenny Kindle (15)

Liechtenstein Substitutes:

  • Emanuel Zünd (19) for Göppel (18')
  • Willy Pizzi (22) for Kindle (46')
  • Alessio Hasler (10) for Lüchinger (58')
  • Jonas Weissenhofer (4) for Notaro (72')
  • Severin Schlegel (2) for Hasler (72')

Statistical Breakdown: A Tale of Two Tiers

The gap between the two nations was evident in the match statistics. In both fixtures, Belgium maintained over 80% ball possession, leaving Liechtenstein with very little opportunity to mount any counter-attacks.

Statistic Sept 4 (LIE 0-6 BEL) Nov 18 (BEL 7-0 LIE)
Possession 19% vs 81% 19% vs 81%
Total Shots 0 vs 24 2 vs 23
Shots on Target 0 vs 9 1 vs 13
Corners 0 vs 10 0 vs 15
Expected Goals (xG) 0.00 vs 3.40 (est) 0.10 vs 3.52
Accurate Passes 87 vs 610 124 vs 654

In the November fixture, Belgium's efficiency was particularly high, creating 6 "Big Chances" and converting most of them. Jérémy Doku's performance was a highlight, earning a near-perfect 9.5 rating for his involvement in three goals.

Strategic Analysis: How Belgium Broke the Block

Rudi Garcia’s tactical approach centered on using the wings to stretch Liechtenstein's narrow five-man defense. Players like Jérémy Doku and Alexis Saelemaekers stayed wide, forcing the Liechtenstein wing-backs to choose between tracking the overlapping full-backs (Meunier and De Cuyper/Castagne) or staying inside to help the center-backs.

In the second match, the use of Charles De Ketelaere as a "False 9" or mobile forward allowed him to drop deep, pulling the Liechtenstein defenders out of position and creating gaps for Vanaken and Doku to exploit. This flexibility is what makes the current Belgian squad a formidable opponent for any defensive-minded team.

Key Players to Watch

Jérémy Doku (Belgium)

Across both games, Doku was the primary engine of the Belgian attack. His ability to dribble past multiple defenders opened up the field for teammates. His two-goal performance in Liège was a masterclass in modern wing play.

Youri Tielemans (Belgium)

As the captain and midfield anchor, Tielemans ensured that Belgium never lost control. His calmness on the ball and ability to switch play rapidly prevented Liechtenstein from ever settling into a defensive rhythm.

Benjamin Büchel (Liechtenstein)

Despite conceding 13 goals in two games, the Liechtenstein goalkeeper made several key saves that prevented even higher scorelines. His leadership in a young and struggling defensive unit was evident throughout the campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who was the top scorer in the Belgium vs Liechtenstein matches?

Jérémy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere were the most prolific, with Doku scoring two goals in the second match and De Ketelaere also bagging a brace in the same game. Youri Tielemans also scored twice in the first encounter.

What were the final scores of the 2025 qualifiers between these two?

The first match ended 6-0 in favor of Belgium on September 4, 2025. The second match ended 7-0 for Belgium on November 18, 2025.

Which stadium hosted the Belgium vs Liechtenstein home game?

The home game for Belgium was held at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège (also known as Sclessin).

Did Liechtenstein score any goals against Belgium in 2025?

No, Belgium maintained a clean sheet in both matches, winning with an aggregate score of 13-0.

What was the ball possession in the second match?

Belgium dominated the ball with 81% possession, while Liechtenstein had 19%.

Summary of the 2025 Campaign

The 2026 World Cup qualification matches between Belgium and Liechtenstein served as a clear indicator of the Red Devils' status as a top-tier European nation. With a perfect record and a massive goal difference in these fixtures, Belgium comfortably moved towards the top of Group J. For Liechtenstein, these matches highlighted the immense challenge of competing in UEFA's top bracket, though they showed flashes of defensive resilience in the early stages of each half. As Belgium prepares for the World Cup, the integration of younger talents like Senne Lammens and Malick Fofana alongside veterans like De Bruyne suggests a bright future for the squad.