It’s happened again
Belgium and Portugal played out an even 0-0 draw this evening at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussells. There was much more excitement than the scoreline suggests, with Gonçalo Guedes, Bernardo Silva and Raphael Guerrëiro all impressing in a Portugal team without Ronaldo.
Belgium had their fair share of chances too, and used the friendly as an opportunity to give fringe players game time, making a total of six changes. One of those changes was not out of choice, though, as Vincent Kompany was forced off through injury in the 55th minute. He was replaced by Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata.
Vincent Kompany off injured two weeks before the start of the World Cup.Worrying. #mcfc pic.twitter.com/1Zq32DaTjC
— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) June 2, 2018
Kompany has struggled with injuries a lot over the past few years, but managed to put a run of games together in the latter half of the season just gone, and kept his place in the Manchester City side that won the Premier League by a record margin.
The defender now faces a race against time to get fit with only two weeks remaining before the World Cup kicks off in Russia. Belgium still have Tottenham duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen to rely upon, but if Belgium are to play in Roberto Martínez’s favoured 3-4-3 shape, they will need Kompany to play between the aforementioned pair.
Belgium play England in their final group game in Russia. Some England are no doubt indulging in a bit of schadenfreude, boosted by the chance that Kompany might be ruled out of that game.
Thibaut Courtois also suffered a scare when Ricardo Quaresma accidentally stamped on his hand, but he managed to finish the game.
