Belgium 3-0 Turkiye was one of the most emphatic results of the UEFA Nations League matchday, as the Red Devils combined power, pace, and precision at the King Baudouin Stadium on October 3, 2026. Romelu Lukaku, Jérémy Doku, and Kevin De Bruyne all found the net in a controlled performance that underlined Belgium’s ambition to dominate their group.

Match overview

Belgium began brightly and took the lead inside the opening twenty minutes. Lukaku, back as the focal point of the attack, powered home a header from Doku’s accurate cross. Turkiye tried to respond through the creativity of Arda Güler and the direct running of Kenan Yıldız, but Belgium’s midfield screen prevented clear chances.

The second half was even more one-sided. Doku doubled the lead with a brilliant solo effort, cutting inside from the left before firing into the far corner. De Bruyne then added a third from the penalty spot after a foul on Lukaku, ending any hopes of a Turkish comeback. Turkiye’s best moments came from set pieces, but Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels was rarely troubled.

Key moments

• 18’ – Belgium lead: Doku delivers and Lukaku rises highest to head in the opener.
• 41’ – Güler threatens: Turkiye’s playmaker curls a free-kick narrowly wide.
• 52’ – Doku doubles it: A driving run and low finish make it 2-0.
• 79’ – De Bruyne seals it: The captain converts a penalty after Lukaku is brought down.
• 88’ – Late save: Casteels denies Yıldız to preserve the clean sheet.

Tactical story

Belgium lined up in a 4-2-3-1 that gave De Bruyne freedom between the lines. With Doku and Leandro Trossard stretching the pitch, Turkiye’s back four could not cope with the width and directness. Lukaku’s hold-up play was central to Belgium’s build-up, allowing runners to attack the space behind.

Turkiye’s 4-2-3-1 relied on Güler and Yıldız to create magic, but they were often isolated. Hakan Çalhanoğlu tried to dictate from deep, yet Belgium’s midfield pressed aggressively and won second balls. Once Belgium scored the second, Turkiye’s shape became stretched, and the hosts punished them with a third.

Standout players

Jérémy Doku was electric, producing a goal and an assist and tormenting Turkiye’s full-backs. Romelu Lukaku led the line with authority, winning duels and drawing the penalty. Kevin De Bruyne controlled the tempo and scored from twelve yards. For Turkiye, Arda Güler showed flashes of quality, but Hakan Çalhanoğlu could not control the match as he would have liked.

What it means

The three-goal win gives Belgium a major boost in the group table and strengthens their goal-difference advantage. Turkiye, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. They remain capable of hurting any opponent with their young attackers, but this defeat exposed the gap between moments of individual brilliance and the collective consistency needed in the UEFA Nations League.