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MMA·July 1, 2026 05:51 PM ET

Belgium hooks Doku and De Bruyne while trailing 2-0

Belgium pulls its stars in a lost cause.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 11 min read
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Doku and De Bruyne taken off whilst 2-0 down Belgium manager going out in a ball of flames. Respect 🤣🤣🤣

What happened: Belgium's manager withdrew Doku and De Bruyne while the side trailed 2-0. Taking off both of the team's most influential attackers while chasing a two-goal deficit is a striking in-match decision, effectively conceding the result and turning attention to what comes next.

Why it matters: Doku and De Bruyne are central to Belgium's attacking plan, so pulling them together signals a manager bracing for the end rather than mounting a comeback. It is the same Doku who recently committed his long-term future to Manchester City, and losing his creativity leaves Belgium short of ideas at the worst possible moment.

What to watch: Watch how Belgium and its manager regroup, and whether the decision to sacrifice both stars invites fresh questions about the bench's direction.

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