Doku could easily have taken the moral high ground by attacking the person who attacked him.

Van Bommel, in his first press conference since his appointment late last month, said he jumped at the offer to replace Rudi Garcia as Belgium coach.

Ultimately, this high-stakes encounter near Hollywood lights faithfully mirrored the storied bracket of 1994, leaving the World Cup poised for further high-drama fixtures.

Belgium finished above Egypt on goal difference after they both finished with five points from three matches, followed by Iran on three points and New Zealand on one.

It’s basic math. A World Cup rolls around every four years. The arrival of a firstborn happens exactly once.

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said on Tuesday Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku scoring on his first international appearance in more than a year in a 2-0 World Cup friendly win over Croatia was "ideal".

Garcia's latest effort in management at Napoli was an unsuccessful five-month stint in 2023 during the club's disastrous post-Scudetto winning season.

The Manchester City playmaker was making his way towards the Belgium fans behind the goal before appearing to change his mind as the whistling and booing intensified.

Romania finish as group winners after they drew with Slovakia 1-1 in the other match.