Kevin De Bruyne five stars, Hans Vanaken relegated to the shadows
Sports Football – Kevin De Bruyne delivered a five‑star performance in the Belgium‑Turkey match, scoring two goals in 82 minutes and dominating the midfield in football. Hans Vanaken, present in the same area, could not match his brilliance, leaving the Red Devils far superior.
A dazzling performance from the Napoli player
The Napoli player was excellent, scoring a brace that recalled his best days. Frédéric Bleus confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne, author of a brace, still has a magical touch. Sclessin launched the chant twice to salute this brace, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the number 7.
Beyond the two strikes, he accelerated the game with his passes, his availability and his defensive intensity. A recovery on the right side, followed by a sprint, provided a counter‑attack solution. He even played more than an hour, exactly 82 minutes, as if his battery had been recharged.
Kevin De Bruyne will need to rest, as he will be suspended for the match in France next Monday. Belgium's next encounter will take place in France.
The contrast with Hans Vanaken
In midfield, the trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Hans Vanaken and Youri Tielemans was led by the number 7. Hans Vanaken, a Club Brugge player, displayed gaps, notably in his ball control and certain distributions. His position, at the same level as De Bruyne, may have surprised for a player of his standing.
The triangle used this Friday recalled the one employed against Iran and Senegal at the World Cup. Although the match against Senegal saw a shift after the 85th minute, Turkey did not put the same trap in difficulty. Vanaken's gaps were accentuated by De Bruyne's five‑star performance.
Mark van Bommel wanted to revive a more creative and intelligent trio at the heart of the game. He agreed to play deeper to facilitate offensive transitions, even if it was not always brilliant. De Bruyne, however, shone consistently, confirming his status as the best Red Devil of the evening.
It was only Turkey, but it caught the eye of football fans. The Red Devils thus delivered a showcase where Kevin De Bruyne's talent eclipsed that of Hans Vanaken. Sports already extensively cover this feat.