Kevin De Bruyne scored two stunning goals as Belgium defeated Turkiye 3-0 in the Nations League.

2026/2027 UEFA Nations League

3-0

Match Report

The Napoli midfielder scored either side of half-time at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, while Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to also get on the scoresheet and help Mark van Bommel secure his first home win as Belgium head coach.

De Bruyne needed just 10 minutes to break the deadlock, playing a give-and-go with Dodi Lukebakio before poking through the legs of Abdulkerim Bardakci and finding the bottom-right corner.

Both sides had their chances before half-time; Lukebakio saw a powerful strike pushed onto the woodwork by Ugurcan Cakir, while Merih Demiral inexplicably fired over from inside the six-yard box from Zeki Celik's low cross.

Lukebakio struck the frame of the goal again early in the second half before Senne Lammens got down quickly to keep out Yunus Akgun, and the goalkeeper's efforts were repaid by De Bruyne at the other end.

After Youri Tielemans regained possession just outside the box, he teed up De Bruyne, who wonderfully curled into the top-left corner from distance to give Belgium some much-needed breathing room.

Lukaku then wrapped up the victory in the 76th minute, converting from Charles De Ketelaere's low centre with ease, while Belgium also managed to hold onto their clean sheet despite late pressure from Turkiye.

Job done. #ScoredWithING pic.twitter.com/1TpfkNf5hH

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) October 2, 2026

Belgium's veterans thriving in new era

Van Bommel's introduction as head coach marked a new era for Belgium, and while the likes of Mika Godts and Lukebakio are proving their worth under the new boss, it was the familiar faces of De Bruyne and Lukaku who made the crucial difference.

Although Belgium's 1.24 expected goals (xG) tally was lower than Turkiye's 1.33, De Bruyne's two goals accounted for just 0.17 xG, highlighting the quality of the midfielder's strikes to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

De Bruyne also created three chances, a tally only bettered by Godts (four) for Belgium, while he also won five of his 10 duels before being replaced in the 82nd minute.

For Turkiye, meanwhile, it was the same old story. They failed to take their opportunities in front of goal, which is what caused their group-stage exit at the World Cup, despite Arda Guler creating a match-high five chances.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

4' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

7' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

9' GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Turkey (Kevin De Bruyne)



19' Match Event for Belgium vs Turkey

24' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

28' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

37' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

44' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

53' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

55' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

59' GOAL! Belgium 2-0 Turkey (Kevin De Bruyne)

67' Match Event for Belgium vs Turkey

70' Highlight from Belgium vs Turkey

76' GOAL! Belgium 3-0 Turkey (Romelu Lukaku)

Line-ups

Belgium XI: De Bruyne, Vanaken, Mechele, Tielemans, Castagne, Dodi Lukébakio, Senne Lammens, Maxim De Cuyper, De Ketelaere, Nathan Ngoy, Mika Godts

Subs: Lukaku, Trossard, Openda, Nicolas Raskin, Maarten Vandevoordt, Koni De Winter, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Lavia, Malick Fofana, Mike Penders, Joaquin Seys

Turkey XI: Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Zeki Çelik, Demiral, Uğurcan Çakır, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Oğuz Aydın, İsmail Yüksek, Bartuğ Elmaz, Güler

Subs: İrfan Can Kahveci, Özcan, Altay Bayındır, Mustafa Eskihellaç, Muhammed Şengezer, Ozan Kabak, Akgun, Emirhan Topçu, Eren Elmalı, D. Tıknaz, Deniz Gül, İlhan Fakılı