World Cup 2018: 5 reasons why this could be Belgium's tournament

They are called Belgium's golden generation. This is a team studded with an impeccable array of talents - Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois...the list goes on.

However, as much as the tag is justified, so is the fear that this wonderful assortment of talents will again misfire at the moment of reckoning. After all, they did just that in the last World Cup in 2014 and the European Championships in 2016.

In both tournaments, the Red Devils were knocked out in the quarter-finals. Most shocking was the defeat at the hands of a resurgent Wales in the Euros. This, despite the Belgians playing some silky football in the group stages and becoming everyone's outside bet to lift the cup.

We beg to differ though and here's why.

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#1 They are in formidable form

Yes, the opponent might have been Costa Rica and not Germany, but on Monday the Belgians turned on the style to teach their Central American rivals a footballing lesson. A 4-1 thrashing was more important in the context of the upcoming tournament rather than the match itself.

They looked like a team in tandem, a group of players who have played together for years. Belgium has won four of their last five matches. What is more striking is that they have only conceded one goal in this period which will make coach Roberto Martinez extremely happy. They also drew only one game of the World Cup qualifiers while winning the remaining nine.

The top Belgian players all ply their trade successfully in the top leagues of Europe. While Hazard and De Bruyne have led their club sides to EPL triumphs, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and captain Vincent Kompany, amongst others have also made England their home.

Other stars such as Yannick Carrasco only recently played in Spain before moving to China in January while Dries Mertens is based in Italy. The fact that all these superstars have come together to find cohesion at the right time is extremely good news for Belgium fans as finding chemistry in such a talented bunch can often be a tricky task.

#2 Romelu Lukaku is coming into his own at the right time

Romelu Lukaku in action against Costa Rica

The forward transferred to Manchester United at the start of last season with much fanfare. A 27-goal season is by no means a bad turnout, but Romelu Lukaku faced criticism from many quarters for being inconsistent and failing to deliver in big matches as Jose Mourinho's wards went trophy-less despite finishing second in the league.

On Monday night, however, he was back to his best, rampaging through the Costa Rican defence and demonstrating his top two abilities speed and strength. In this form, Lukaku could be an ideal contender for the coveted Golden Boot award, he can also lead his side to the trophy by the dint of his own abilities.

#3 Belgium have arguably the best midfielder in the world with a capable supporting cast

Kevin De Bruyne

The genius of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard have often been talked about and both are dazzling talents whose astonishing skills, passing and shooting abilities can strike fear in any opposition. De Bruyne, in particular, is in the form of his life and led Manchester City to an unprecedented success (100 points) in the Premier League last season. He is arguably the best creative midfielder in the world right now.

They aren't the only ones who can lead Belgium's charge from midfield, though. Yannick Carrasco, Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj are decent options. Coach Martinez is almost spoiled for choice in this department. In Fellaini, he has someone who can also take care of the defensive side of things as others rampage forward.

In Dembele, Belgium have one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world. Martinez could actually drop the flamboyant and controversial Radja Nainggolan because he has so much talent at his disposal.

#4 Roberto Martinez as coach might be the most inspired choice

Roberto Martinez knows what he wants

Many eyebrows were raised when Roberto Martinez was selected as the man to lead Belgium after the failure in Euro 2016. However, Belgium became the first team from Europe to qualify for the Cup, taking 28 points off a possible 30.

Martinez had only coached middle-rung club teams till this point but has risen to the occasion perfectly and his dropping of Radja Nainggolan, despite the howls of derision from fans, shows the man knows what he wants.

His low-profile presence behind the array of stars might just be what the team needs to progress to the later stages.

#5 Their defence is shoring up

Vincent Kompany (left) is the Belgium captain

Time and again, Belgium's frailties at the back have been exposed. Most experts believe that the back-line will prove to be their undoing this time around as well. Most notably, Vincent Kompany, the centre-back and charismatic captain, is struggling with injuries and may not be fit at the start of the cup. Even Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen and Thomas Meunier have all struggled with injuries in the just-completed season.

Despite these setbacks, Belgium has stopped the goals from leaking with only one conceded in the last five friendlies. A hard-fought nil-nil draw against Portugal could be considered a happy outing because they did not let in a goal. If Kompany is absent, Jan Vertonghen will have to shoulder the major responsibility.

In Thibaut Courtois, they have one of the best goalkeepers in the world and if he has a good tournament Belgium can well see them qualify for the final stages.

The Red Devils have been put in a relatively easier group with only England providing the major threat. If they top the group they should expect an easy passage to the quarters. There the opponents might be Brazil and from that point onwards the real test will begin.

This time though, they might have what is takes to go beyond the last-eight stage and upset the apple-carts of the pre-tournament favourites.

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Do you think Belgium can win the World Cup this time? Tell us in the comments below!