Belgium are not to be feared, Cape Verde would fancy their chances in World Cup knockout phase

Gabby Agbonlahor believes Cape Verde would not be afraid to take on Belgium in the knockout phase of the World Cup.

Having shocked the world in their 0-0 opener against Spain, the African nation took an early lead against Uruguay on Sunday with a thumping free-kick.

Cape Verde’s keeper Vozinha went from 43k follower to 15million after his heroic performanceAFP

Despite falling 2-1 behind, they fought back and Helio Varela equalised to earn Cape Verde another point against the South American giants.

Both teams sit with two points from two games in Group H, however, Marco Bielsa’s side still have to face Spain, who dominated Saudi Arabia 5-1.

With a population of half a million, Cape Verde have stamped their footprint on the footballing world and will hope they can make it a step further than the group stage.

On talkSPORT Breakfast, Aston Villa legend Agbonlahor said: “It’s the way they [Cape Verde] play and get behind the ball and defend.

“They have a bond as a team, some teams aren’t good going forward but it’s the way they defend for their lives.

“Yesterday, Iran were fantastic against Belgium. You were expecting these teams to lose like Cape Verde against Spain, but the more you watch these teams in this tournament, like Curacao, it’s incredible to get a draw against Ecuador.

“Cape Verde will be favourites against Saudi Arabia and they have every chance of getting to the knockout game.”

While Cape Verde have exceeded expectations, Belgium have been a side who have not lived up to their potential, and it’s not the first time it’s happened at a major tournament.

The Red Devils have drawn consecutive matches and are on the brink of facing a second successive group-stage exit.

Key players like Romelu Lukaku have looked slow, after he was handed a first start for his country since June 2025.

Lukaku goes into the World Cup relatively undercooked in terms of his fitnessAFP

Rudi Garcia’s side became frustrated, which led to a red card for defender Nathan Ngoy as Iran’s goalkeeper became the star of the show.

The 2018 semi-finalists are in danger of not progressing into the knockout phase if they fail to beat New Zealand in their final Group G game.

Agbonlahor insists Belgium would be eaten alive by a top team. He added: “They look like a golden generation that has gone too far.

“[Romelu] Lukaku looked like he couldn’t move, [Kevin] De Bruyne didn’t look like himself but then again both of them didn’t play a lot of football the second half of the season because of injuries.

“Trossard looked lively at times, look at their whole team, you do not fear Belgium if they get through the group, there is a team anyone would want. Cape Verde would want them.

“They have gone two tournaments too far. [Youri] Tielemans is a top player and [Amadou] Onana is on the bench but they really missed [Jeremy] Doku last night as well.”

Belgium are running out of time to succeed with what is left of their golden generationAFP

Belgium were without the Manchester City winger through illness and were left frustrated that they couldn’t turn their possession into goals, logging 11 shots.

Doku has been criticised in the media following his comments on wanting to leave the camp to watch his wife deliver their first child, at the quarter-final stage.

However, that may not be an issue with Belgium struggling to get out of the group stage.

As things stand, Belgium would be runner-up of Group G and would face the runner-up of Group D, which is currently Australia.