World Cup preview: Time for Belgium to cash in on golden generation

There's no time like now. Belgium's ready to win.

Roberto Martinez's squad roared through the qualifying campaign, scoring a joint-high 43 goals while going undefeated. It struggled in friendlies against Spain, Mexico, and Portugal, but Belgium's dynamic attack is too good to be shut out entirely. Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and Dries Mertens can breach any defence.

This is no longer Europe's biggest secret. Belgium has evolved from dark horse to tournament favourite, with most of its players of the first-team variety. Martinez had so many options that he could afford to leave Radja Nainggolan at home.

But the pressure is on. Belgium has every chance to top Group G and leave a trail of hurt along the way. A deep run is expected in Russia.

Group stage schedule

Projected starting XI

Belgium consistently lined up in a 3-4-3 formation in World Cup qualifying, with Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel holding down the midfield. De Bruyne is asked to play deeper than he usually does at Manchester City, sacrificing goals in order to facilitate play for his talented teammates. To make the system work, Martinez also converted Yannick-Ferreira Carrasco into a wing-back. It's unlikely Belgium will move away from the 3-4-3 - a lineup Martinez used with success at Wigan Athletic - so the lack of a Plan B is a concern.

Manager: Roberto Martinez

Martinez didn't exactly arrive to the sounds of trumpets. The Spaniard left a mess at Everton, where he failed to strike any tactical balance or crack any winning combination with a decent group of players. Marc Wilmots was fired by the Belgian FA for being just as disorganised, so Martinez was a peculiar choice as manager.

There are still questions as to whether Martinez is the right man. De Bruyne openly criticised the Spaniard's approach after a 3-3 draw with Mexico, suggesting there aren't enough players in midfield.

Key player: Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne is coming off an influential campaign as City's metronomic playmaker, and he'll have to do a little bit of everything in Russia to ensure his more attack-minded teammates aren't starved for service. The former Wolfsburg man will not only shield the defence, he'll distribute possession, play long passes out wide, and bomb forward when he gets the chance. De Bruyne also finds ways to separate himself from defenders, moving into pockets of space so that he can buy a few extra seconds on the ball. And when he has that extra time, he can do extraordinary things.

Breakout star: Thomas Meunier

Thomas Meunier's upbringing as a winger has helped him become the enterprising full-back that he is today. Despite playing second fiddle to Dani Alves for the most of the 2017-18 campaign, Meunier tallied four goals and four assists with Paris Saint-Germain, showing a keenness to shoot from distance and create chances on his own. He can let fly with both his left and right foot and dribble in tight spaces. It's unfair to pigeonhole Meunier as a full-back. He's a good footballer.

Fans should be happy if ...

The time is now for Belgium's so-called golden generation. Quarter-final finishes at the 2014 World Cup and 2016 European Championship were considered letdowns for a team bristling with potential in virtually every position. Belgium's squad is one of the best in the tournament, and the players will be expected to make a run to at least the semi-finals.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)