Rise of a Football God

[I made a mistake in the previous chapter, I got confused by the venue, thinking it was Mexico playing against Uruguay. So, the final Group K table is Costa Rica in 2nd position, not Mexico.]

(GROUP K:)

(DR Congo vs Costa Rica)

(Venue: Estadio Monterrey, Mexico)

(Date: June 28th, 2026)

(Time: 15:00)

At the same time that Uruguay and Switzerland ducked it out at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico, DR Congo and Costa Rica also took on each other in a blockbuster Group K encounter that ended with just 1 goal separating both countries.

DR Congo lost 0-1 to Costa Rica, and with that, Costa Rica qualified to the knockouts as the 2nd best team in Group K ahead of Switzerland.

…

Group K drama was over, and a new Group took over the next day 29th.

(GROUP L:)

(Belgium vs Ecuador)

(Venue: MetLife Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 29th, 2026)

(Time: 19:00)

The atmosphere at the MetLife in USA was electric as Belgium and Ecuador lined up for the crucial final group stage game of their World Cup campaign.

There were over 77,000 fans in attendance at the MetLife.

The intensity level in the stadium was electric. It was win or go home for Ecuador.

Belgium? The pressure was also on them.

Group L had reached its final act. Belgium, with two draws in their opening games, 4-4 against a rampant Sweden, and then 1-1 against Paraguay, stood on the brink of elimination from the knockout stages.

Ecuador, with one loss and one win, needed at least a point, ideally more to control their fate in the World Cup.

It was tense, fierce, and frantic.

But when it mattered most, Belgium's old guard stood up. And one young gem rose with them.

Belgium started in their regular 3-4-2-1 formation. And this time, the Belgian coach finally let go of his pride, making peace with the Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois and finally fielding him in the lineup.

Ahead of Thibaut Courtois, protecting him in defense was the trio of Faes, Vertonghen, and Theate. In midfield was the quadruple of Castagne, Onana, Tielemans, and Carrasco.

While in attack was Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Romelu Lukaku who still led the Belgian national team as their starting striker.

As for Ecuador, they started in a 4-3-3 formation with Galindez in between the posts, and a defensive quadruple of Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, and Estupinian.

The midfield trio comprised Moises Caicedo, Mendez, and Sarmiento, while the attacking trio comprised Plata, Ener Valencia the strike who also captained the side, and Kevin Rodriguez.

The first half was a high stakes game of fast paced football.

Ecuador started the brighter of the two; energetic, aggressive, and fearless. Caicedo snapped into tackles, Plata darted at Faes repeatedly.

Belgium? They looked briefly rattled.

But then in the 12th minute, Belgium made a mistake.

Estupinian made a bursting overlap, and was clipped by Castagne just inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot immediately.

FWEEE!

Belgium tried to protest the decision but the referee paid them no heed.

Valencia, cool as a bird, buried it with trademark confidence.

0-1 to Ecuador.

But then, after going behind did Belgium respond.

They responded with urgency. Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian maestro came to life and began orchestrating chaos, drifting wider to avoid Caicedo's pressure.

Doku, as always, was electric.

And then, in the 24th minute, the Manchester City winger got the equalizer, pulling Belgium out of the abyss.

Tielemans lofted a pass to Doku on the left. He cut inside, waltzed past Preciado and Hincapie, and smashed it low into the bottom corner.

1-1. Belgium was alive.

And with that, momentum shifted.

In the 38th minute, Romelu Lukaku added his name to the scoresheet.

It was a vintage Belgium counter. De Bruyne sprinted through the middle, drew defenders, and slipped it to Lukaku who didn't make a single mistake.

One touch to control the ball, then…

POW!

One powerful blast past Galindez.

2-1. MetLife shook.

The first half came to an end 2-1, Belgium holding on after completing a remontada in their final group stage game first half.

When second half started, Ecuador came out fighting.

Estupinian hit the post with a curling free kick in the 52nd minute. Kevin Rodriguez missed a golden header in the 58th. They had Belgium gasping, looking for straws, barely holding on.

Despite it all, Thibaut Courtois proved exactly why he was one of the best in the business, holding strong. And then Belgium struck the dagger.

It came in the 73rd minute, Kevin De Bruyne.

A moment of pure genius. He collected the ball 25 yards out, dipped his shoulder, and curled a left-footed beauty into the top corner.

Experience killed the Ecuadorian dream.

3-1. Game over. The Belgian maestro had spoken.

Ecuador had nothing else to do in the game. Of course, they tried, but they got no results. The game came to an end 3-1.

And with that win, Belgium managed to turn their fortunes around, finishing second in Group L with 5 points.

Ecuador, despite a valiant effort were eliminated.

And of course, Kevin De Bruyne won the man of the match award with his electric display of 1 goal, 1 assist, 7 key passes, and 2 successful dribbles.

Like his coach said, raving about his star creator.

"He reads the game like a novel he'd written himself".

Of course, there were post-match reactions, as Kevin De Bruyne was forced to say a piece of his mind in front of the media.

Still sweaty and panting, the Belgian said his piece.

"We were under pressure, sure. But when it mattered, we played like Belgium".

Jeremy Doku also had a piece.

"This was about pride more than anything else. People doubted us after the Sweden game. We answered".This was about pride more than anything else. People doubted us after the Sweden game. We answered".

The Ecuadorian captain, Moises Caicedo also faced the media heat.

"It hurts, yes, but I'm proud of how we fought. This team has a future. It's unfortunate that our journey here has to come to an end now".

…

Sweden topped Group L on goal difference, Belgium finished second, Ecuador out, Paraguay also out no matter their result against Sweden unless they managed to eclipse Belgium in goals difference.