Belgium national football team records and statistics explained

This article lists various team and individual football records in relation to the Belgium national team (The Red Devils). The page currently shows the records as of 17 November 2024.

Team records

See also: Belgium national football team results. ^[1]

Wins

Largest win:

• 10–1 vs on 28 February 2001
• 9–0 vs Zambia on 4 June 1994
• 9–0 vs on 31 August 2017
• 9–0 vs on 10 October 2019

Largest away win:

• 6–0 vs on 14 October 1986
• 6–0 vs on 10 October 2016

Largest win at the World Cup Finals:

• 3–0 vs on 3 June 1970, 1970 World Cup
• 3–0 vs on 18 June 2018, 2018 World Cup
• 5–2 vs on 23 June 2018, 2018 World Cup

Largest win at the European Championship finals: 4–0 vs on 26 June 2016, Euro 2016

Largest win at the Olympic Games finals: 3–0 vs on 31 August 1920, 1920 Summer Olympics

Largest goal deficit overcome in a single game (to either a win or a draw): 3 goals, vs on 6 May 1932 (4–3 victory after being 0–3 down)

Draws

Highest scoring draw: 5–5 vs on 4 September 1999

Highest scoring draw at the World Cup Finals: 4–4 vs on 17 June 1954, 1954 World Cup

Highest scoring draw at the European Championship finals : 1–1 vs on 12 June 1980, Euro 1980

Highest scoring draw at the Olympic Games finals: None

Defeats

Largest defeat: 2–11 vs England Amateurs on 17 April 1909

Including unofficial games: 0–12 vs Corinthian on 6 January 1906^[2]

Largest defeat at home: 1–9 vs on 11 May 1927

Largest defeat at the World Cup Finals:

• 0–3 vs United States on 13 July 1930, 1930 World Cup
• 2–5 vs Germany on 27 May 1934, 1934 World Cup
• 1–4 vs on 20 June 1954, 1954 World Cup
• 1–4 vs on 6 June 1970, 1970 World Cup
• 0–3 vs on 28 June 1982, 1982 World Cup

Largest defeat at the European Championship finals: 0–5 vs on 16 June 1984, Euro 1984

Largest defeat at the Olympic Games finals: 1–8 vs on 29 May 1924, 1924 Summer Olympics

Largest lead given away : 2 goals, on several occasions

Goals

Scored

Most goals scored in a single game: 10 vs on 28 February 2001

Most goals scored in an away game: 7 vs on 25 November 1951

Most goals scored during the first half: 7 vs on 5 June 1957

Most goals scored during the second half: 7 vs on 28 February 2001

Most goals scored during extra time:

• 2 vs on 15 June 1986
• 2 vs on 1 July 2014

Most goals scored in a single game during the World Cup finals: 5 vs on 23 June 2018, 2018 World Cup Cup

Most goals scored in a single game during the European Championship finals: 4 vs on 26 June 2016, Euro 2016

Most goals scored in a single game during the Olympic Games finals: 5 vs on 27 May 1928, 1928 Summer Olympics

Most different players scoring during a single game: 7 (+ 1 own goal) (Romelu Lukaku (2), Nacer Chadli, Toby Alderweireld, Youri Tielemans, Christian Benteke, Yari Verschaeren and Timothy Castagne) (+ own goal by Cristian Brolli), vs on 10 October 2019

Conceded

Most goals conceded in a single game: 11 vs England Amateurs on 17 April 1909

Including unofficial games: 12 vs Corinthian on 6 January 1906^[2]

Most goals conceded during a home game: 9 vs on 11 May 1927

Most goals conceded during the first half: 8 vs England Amateurs on 17 April 1909

Most goals conceded during the second half:

• 6 vs England Amateurs on 24 February 1914
• 6 vs Germany on 22 October 1933
• 6 vs on 27 February 1938
• 6 vs on 14 October 1951
• 6 vs on 13 April 1958

Most goals conceded during extra time: 3 vs on 30 April 1905

Most goals conceded in a single game during the World Cup Finals : 5 vs Germany on 27 May 1934, 1934 World Cup

Most goals conceded in a single game during the European Championship Finals: 5 vs on 16 June 1984, Euro 1984

Most goals conceded in a single game during the Olympic Games finals: 8 vs on 29 May 1924, 1924 Summer Olympics

Scored and conceded

Highest total number of goals in a single game:

• 13: 2–11 defeat against England Amateurs on 17 April 1909

• 13: 7–6 victory against on 25 November 1951

Streaks

Longest unbeaten run: 23 games, from 2016 to 2018

Longest run without victory: 13, from 1933 to 1935

Most consecutive wins: 12, from 2019 to 2020

Most consecutive draws: 4, from 1948 to 1949, and in 1998

Most consecutive losses: 7, from 1927 to 1928

Most consecutive games with at least one goal scored: 49, from 2018 to 2022

Most consecutive games without a goal scored: 5, in 1999

Most consecutive games without a goal conceded: 7, in 2019

Most consecutive games with at least one goal conceded: 38, from 1928 to 1933

World rankings

FIFA

Source: FIFA.com^[3]

Highest FIFA ranking: 1st (November 2015 – March 2016, September 2018 – February 2022)

Lowest FIFA ranking: 71st (June 2007)

Best Mover: +25 (April 2011)

Worst Mover: −14 (September 2010)

Elo

Source: Eloratings.net^[4]

Highest Elo rating: 2158 (following 1–0 vs on 27 June 2021)

Lowest Elo rating: 1497 (following 0–8 vs on 29 March 1936)

Highest Elo ranking: 1st (16 November 2019 – 11 October 2020, 27 June 2021, 2 September 2021 – 8 September 2021)

Lowest Elo ranking: 74th (September 2009)

Achievements

Major titles

Olympic football tournament

Gold Medal (1): 1920

Friendly trophies

• Évence Coppée Trophy^[5]

Shared (1): 1904

• Challenge Frédéric Vanden Abeele^[6]

Winners (3): 1906, 1922, 1925

Shared (3): 1913, 1921, 1924

• Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad-beker

Winners (5): 1906, 1907, 1913, 1922, 1926

Shared (5): 1923, 1924, 1928 (2x), 1930

• Kirin Cup^[7]

Shared (1): 1999

Awards

• FIFA Team of the Year^[8]

Winners (5): 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

• FIFA Fair Play Trophy^[9]

Winners (1): 2002

• Belgian National Sports Merit Award

Winners (1): 1980

• Belgian Sportsteam of the Year^[10]

Winners (2): 2013, 2014

Other achievements

• FIFA World Cup

Third place (1): 2018

Fourth place (1): 1986

• UEFA European Championship

Runners-up (1): 1980

Third place (1): 1972

• UEFA Nations League

Fourth place (1): 2021

Individual

• For individual recognitions at major tournaments, see FIFA World Cup awards and UEFA European Championship Teams of the Tournament.
• All players with at least 35 caps are awarded a Medal of Recognition by the Royal Belgian Football Association; also players whose careers are ended by an injury after twenty games receive this award.^[11]

FIFA rankings history

Source:^[12]

Belgium's history in the FIFA World Rankings. The table shows the position that Belgium held in December of each year (and the current position as of 2023), as well as the highest and lowest positions annually.

width=80	Year	width=105	Position	width=80	Highest	width=80	Lowest
1992	17	17	17
1993	25	18	25
1994	24	19	34
1995	24	18	29
1996	42	25	43
1997	41	31	48
1998	35	28	41
1999	33	21	33
2000	27	23	33
2001	20	20	33
2002	17	17	23
2003	16	16	18
2004	45	16	45
2005	55	41	55
2006	53	47	57
2007	49	49	71
2008	54	42	55
2009	66	49	68
2010	57	48	68
2011	41	34	62
2012	21	20	54
2013	11	5	20
2014	4	4	12
2015	1	1	4
2016	5	1	5
2017	5	5	10
2018	1	1	5
2019	1	1	1
2020	1	1	1
2021	1	1	1
2022	4	1	4
2023	4	4	5

Appearances

See also: List of Belgium international footballers.

General

^[13]

Most appearances

Jan Vertonghen (2007–2024), 157 caps

The following are the top ten most capped players; players with an equal number of caps are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone:

Rank	Player	Belgium career	Caps	Goals	Position
1	Jan Vertonghen	2007–2024	157	10	DF
2	Axel Witsel	2008–	132	12	MF
3	Toby Alderweireld	2009–2022	127	5	DF
4	Eden Hazard	2008–2022	126	33	MF/FW
5	Romelu Lukaku	2010–	120	85	FW
6	Dries Mertens	2011–2022	109	21	FW
7	Kevin De Bruyne	2010–	107	30	MF
8	Thibaut Courtois	2011–	102	0	GK
9	Jan Ceulemans		96	22	MF/FW
10	Timmy Simons	2001–2016	94	6	DF/MF

. The records are collected based on data from FIFA and RSSSF.
Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.

Most consecutive appearances: Louis Carré, 50 games, from 22 May 1949 (vs) until 11 March 1956 (vs)

Most appearances as a substitute: Dries Mertens, 40 caps

Most times substituted off: Eden Hazard, 58 caps

Most games started on the bench: Simon Mignolet, 88 games

Most selections (playing + non-playing): Jan Vertonghen, 168 selections

Most selections as an unused substitute: Simon Mignolet, 94 selections

Most selections as an unused substitute without ever earning a cap: Jacques Duquesne, 16 selections

Most selections needed to earn first cap: Koen Casteels, 37 selections

Lowest caps to selections ratio (> 0): Jean Valet, 1/19

Most selections without ever being an unused substitute: Wesley Sonck, 55 selections

Most appearances as a substitute without ever starting a game: Tom Soetaers, 8 caps

Most appearances while never playing an entire game: Adnan Januzaj, 15 caps & Tom Soetaers, 8 caps

Most appearances in the starting eleven: Jan Vertonghen, 149 caps

Most caps earned while not playing the entire game: Dries Mertens, 89 caps

Most caps earned while only playing entire games: Bernard Voorhoof, 61 caps

Most caps earned while playing an entire game: Jan Vertonghen, 131 caps

Most caps without ever being substituted off: Georges Heylens, 67 caps

Most caps without ever appearing as a substitute: Thibaut Courtois, 102 caps

Most caps needed to first play an entire game: Romelu Lukaku, 24 caps

Most caps needed to first appear in the starting eleven: Mbo Mpenza, 9 caps

First player to reach a century of caps: Jan Vertonghen, vs on 2 June 2018

Shortest time needed to reach a century of caps: Eden Hazard, 10 years, 4 months and 5 days between his debut (vs on 19 November 2008) and his 100th cap (vs on 24 March 2019)

Longest Belgian career: Hector Goetinck, 6,402 days or 17 years, 6 months and 10 days between first (vs on 22 April 1906) and last cap (vs on 1 November 1923)

Shortest Belgian career: Joris Van Hout, 2 minutes (on 16 October 2002 vs)

Most consecutive calendar years of appearances: Jan Vertonghen (2007–2024), 18 years

Longest wait between appearances: Hector Goetinck, 3,476 days or 9 years, 6 months and 27 days, between his 16th (vs on 26 April 1914) and his 17th and final cap (vs on 1 November 1923)

Appearances in three separate decades:

• Georges Hebdin; 3 in the 1900s, 6 in the 1910s and 3 in 1920
• Hector Goetinck; 6 in the 1900s, 10 in the 1910s and 1 in 1923
• Bernard Voorhoof; 3 in 1928, 56 in the 1930s and 2 in 1940
• Vic Mees; 6 in 1949, 57 in the 1950s and 5 in 1960
• Wilfried Van Moer; 14 in the 1960s, 25 in the 1970s and 18 in the 1980s
• Jan Ceulemans; 10 in the 1970s, 75 in the 1980s and 11 in the 1990s
• Michel Preud'homme; 1 in 1979, 17 in the 1980s and 41 in the 1990s
• Eric Gerets; 19 in the 1970s, 57 in the 1980s and 10 in the 1990s
• Erwin Vandenbergh; 1 in 1979, 43 in the 1980s and 4 in the 1990s
• Filip De Wilde; 1 in 1989, 26 in the 1990s and 6 in 2000
• Danny Boffin; 2 in 1989, 39 in the 1990s and 14 in the 2000s
• Luc Nilis; 9 in the 1980s, 42 in the 1990s and 5 in 2000
• Jan Vertonghen; 20 in the 2000s, 98 in the 2010s and 39 in the 2020s
• Axel Witsel; 10 in the 2000s, 95 in the 2010s and 27 in the 2020s
• Toby Alderweireld; 4 in the 2000s, 94 in the 2010s and 29 in the 2020s
• Thomas Vermaelen; 27 in the 2000s, 51 in the 2010s and 7 in the 2020s
• Eden Hazard; 10 in the 2000s, 96 in the 2010s and 20 in the 2020s

Smallest number of caps needed to appear in three separate decades: Georges Hebdin, 10 caps (total number of caps obtained: 12)

First player to debut as a substitute: Louis Van Hege, vs on 9 March 1919

Most times completed a game of 120 minutes: Jan Ceulemans & Stéphane Demol, 4 games, both at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups

First appearance by a player who was playing abroad: Raymond Braine (Sparta Prague, Czechoslovakia), vs on 14 April 1935

First appearance by a player who had never played for the senior team of a Belgian club: Thomas Buffel, vs on 12 October 2002

First appearance by a player born outside Belgium: Eric Thornton (born in), vs on 30 April 1905

First appearance by a player born outside of Europe: Luís Oliveira (born in Brazil), vs on 26 February 1992

Last appearance by a player from a Belgian club outside the top division: Jan Verheyen (Union Saint-Gilloise), Belgian Third Division, vs on 25 April 1976

Last appearance by a player from outside the top division of any country: Norman Bassette (Coventry City), English Championship, vs on 17 November 2024

Players who have never played for the first team of a Belgian club: Thomas Vermaelen, Eden Hazard, Divock Origi, Adnan Januzaj, Yannick Carrasco, Jason Denayer, Koen Casteels, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Johan Bakayoko, Roméo Lavia and Koni De Winter

Most appearances without ever playing for the first team of a Belgian club: Eden Hazard, 126 caps

Most appearances while active with a non-Belgian club: Jan Vertonghen (Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur & Benfica), 139 caps

Players appearing against the country of their birth:

• Stanley Vanden Eynde vs on 3 May 1931, 9 April 1933, 7 May 1933, 2 May 1937, and 27 February 1938
• Erwin Vandendaele vs on 15 November 1970, 12 October 1974 and 15 November 1975
• Branko Strupar vs on 2 September 2000

Highest number of players born outside Belgium simultaneously on the field: 3 (Luís Oliveira, Gordan Vidović & Mbo Mpenza) vs on 27 May 1998

Players also appearing for another senior national team:

• Josip Weber, played three friendlies for in 1992, but switched to the Belgium national team in 1994
• Mehdi Carcela played two friendlies for Belgium in 2009–2010, before opting for in 2011
• Nacer Chadli, played one friendly for in 2010, before opting for Belgium in 2011
• Ilombe Mboyo, played one friendly for in 2011, before opting for Belgium in 2012
• Denis Odoi played one friendly for Belgium in 2012, before opting for in 2022
• Dodi Lukebakio, played one friendly for in 2016, before opting for Belgium in 2020

Players capped while active outside of Europe:

• Émile Mpenza: Al Rayyan ( Qatar), 3 caps
• Laurent Ciman: Montreal Impact ( Canada), 10 caps & Los Angeles FC ( United States), 1 cap
• Axel Witsel: Tianjin Quanjian ( China), 16 caps
• Yannick Carrasco: Dalian Yifang ( China), 20 caps & Al-Shabab ( Saudi Arabia), 12 caps
• Thomas Vermaelen: Vissel Kobe ( Japan), 11 caps
• Toby Alderweireld: Al-Duhail ( Qatar), 8 caps
• Koen Casteels: Al-Qadsiah ( Saudi Arabia), 6 caps

Age-related

Youngest player: Fernand Nisot, aged 16 years and 19 days, on 30 April 1911 vs The following are all the players who debuted for the national football team of Belgium before the age of 18, their team at that time and their usual position:

Rank	Player (club)	Age	Position
1	Fernand Nisot (Léopold Club)		FW
2	Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht)		DF/MF
3	Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht)		FW
4	Paul Van Himst (Anderlecht)		FW
5	Jean Capelle (Standard Liège)		FW
6	Joseph Musch (Union Saint-Gilloise)		DF
7	Zakaria Bakkali (PSV Eindhoven)		MF
8	Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht)		DF
9	Eden Hazard (Lille)		MF/FW
10	Raymond Braine (Beerschot)		FW
11	Bernard Voorhoof (Lierse)		FW

Oldest player: Timmy Simons, aged 39 years, 11 months and 2 days, vs on 13 November 2016The following are the top ten oldest players for the national football team of Belgium, their team at that time and their usual position:

Rank	Player (club)	Age	Position
1	Timmy Simons (Club Brugge)		DF/MF
2	Jean De Bie (Racing Brussels)		GK
3	Philippe Vande Walle (Club Brugge)		GK
4	Hector Goetinck (Club Brugge)		MF
5	Wilfried Van Moer (Beveren)		MF
6	Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht)		DF
7	Franky Van der Elst (Club Brugge)		MF
8	Danny Boffin (Sint-Truiden)		MF
9	Eric Gerets (PSV Eindhoven)		DF
10	Michel De Wolf (Marseille)		DF

Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.

Youngest goalkeeper: Robert Hustin, aged 18 years, 6 months and 24 days, vs on 9 May 1905

Youngest player to reach a century of caps: Eden Hazard, aged 28 years, 2 months and 17 days, vs on 24 March 2019

Oldest debutant: Dany Verlinden, aged 34 years, 10 months and 7 days, vs on 25 March 1998

Oldest outfield debutant: Jozef Van Looy, aged 34 years, 2 months and 16 days, vs on 18 May 1950

Oldest player to feature at the World Cup finals: Wilfried Van Moer, aged 37 years, 3 months and 27 days, 1982 World Cup, vs on 28 June 1982

Youngest player to feature at the World Cup finals: Divock Origi, aged 19 years, 1 month and 30 days, 2014 World Cup, vs on 17 June 2014

Oldest player to feature at the European Championship finals: Jan Vertonghen, aged 37 years, 2 months and 7 days, Euro 2024, vs on 1 July 2024

Youngest player to feature at the European Championship finals: Enzo Scifo, aged 18 years, 3 months and 25 days, Euro 1984, vs on 13 June 1984

On major tournaments

Most inclusions in a World Cup/European Championship finals squad: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen & Axel Witsel (2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020, 2022 World Cup & Euro 2024), 6 tournaments

Most tournaments appeared in: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku & Jan Vertonghen (2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020, 2022 World Cup & Euro 2024), 6 tournaments

Most tournaments appeared in consecutively: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku & Jan Vertonghen (2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020, 2022 World Cup & Euro 2024), 6 tournaments

Most total appearances at the World Cup and European Championship finals: Kevin De Bruyne & Romelu Lukaku, 26 caps

Most total non-playing selections for the World Cup and European Championship finals: Simon Mignolet, 24 selections

Most total non-playing selections for the World Cup and European Championship finals without ever playing in a tournament: Simon Mignolet, 24 selections

Most appearances without ever playing at the World Cup finals or the European Championship finals: Jef Jurion, 64 caps

Fewest appearances while still playing at both the World Cup finals and European Championship finals: Jacky Peeters & Branko Strupar, 17 caps

Most appearances without ever being in a World Cup or European Championship finals squad: Jef Jurion, 64 caps

Most inclusions in a World Cup/European Championship finals squad without playing in the tournament: Simon Mignolet (2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 & 2022 World Cup), 5 tournaments

Most inclusions in a World Cup/European Championship finals squad without ever playing in a tournament: Simon Mignolet (2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 & 2022 World Cup), 5 tournaments

Most appearances at the Olympic Games finals: Jean de Bie, 6 caps (3 in 1920, 1 in 1924 & 2 in 1928)

First player to make tournament appearances in three separate decades: None

FIFA World Cup

Most inclusions in the squad for the World Cup finals: Franky Van der Elst, Enzo Scifo (both in 1986, 1990, 1994 & 1998) & Marc Wilmots (1990, 1994, 1998 & 2002), 4 World Cups

Most appearances in different World Cup finals: Franky Van der Elst & Enzo Scifo (both in 1986, 1990, 1994 & 1998), 4 World Cups

Most appearances at the World Cup finals: Enzo Scifo, 17 caps

Most appearances without ever playing at the World Cup finals: Jef Jurion, 64 caps

Most non-playing selections for the World Cup finals: Simon Mignolet, 15 selections

Most selections for the World Cup finals without ever playing in the tournament: Simon Mignolet, 15 selections

Fewest appearances while still playing at the World Cup finals: Gérard Delbeke, 1 cap

Players to debut at the World Cup finals:

• Henri De Deken, 1930 World Cup, vs Paraguay on 20 July 1930
• Gérard Delbeke, 1930 World Cup, vs Paraguay on 20 July 1930
• François De Vries, 1934 World Cup, vs Germany on 27 May 1934
• Denis Houf, 1954 World Cup, vs on 17 June 1954
• Pieter van den Bosch, 1954 World Cup, vs on 17 June 1954
• Guy Vandersmissen, 1982 World Cup, vs on 13 June 1982
• Jacky Munaron, 1982 World Cup, vs on 1 July 1982

UEFA European Championship

Most inclusions in the squad for the European Championship finals: Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Meunier, Jan Vertonghen & Axel Witsel (2016, 2020 & 2024), 3 final tournaments

Most appearances at the European Championship finals: Romelu Lukaku, 14 caps

Most consecutive appearances at the European Championship finals: Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku & Jan Vertonghen (2016, 2020 & 2024), 3 final tournaments

Fewest appearances while still playing at the European Championship finals: Walter De Greef & Paul Lambrichts, 5 caps

Most appearances without ever playing at the European Championship finals: Timmy Simons, 94 caps

Appearances at most European Championship finals: Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku & Jan Vertonghen (2016, 2020 & 2024), 3 final tournaments

Most non-playing selections for the European Championship finals: Simon Mignolet, 9 selections

Most non-playing selections for the European Championship finals without ever playing in the tournament: Simon Mignolet, 9 selections

Players to debut at the European Championship finals: Georges Grün, Euro 1984, vs on 13 June 1984

Goals

General

^[14]

First goal: Georges Quéritet vs on 1 May 1904

Most goals: Romelu Lukaku (2010–present), 85, the top ten players with the most goals for Belgium are:

(Goalscorers with an equal number of goals are ranked with the highest to lowest goals per game ratio.)

Rank	Player	Belgium career	Goals	Caps	Position	Goals per game
1	Romelu Lukaku (list)	2010–	85	120	FW
2	Eden Hazard	2008–2022	33	126	MF/FW
3	Bernard Voorhoof		30	61	FW
	Paul Van Himst	1960–1974	30	81	FW
	Kevin De Bruyne	2010–	30	107	MF
6	Marc Wilmots	1990–2002	28	70	MF
7	Michy Batshuayi	2015–	27	55	FW
	Joseph Mermans	1945–1956	27	56	FW
9	Robert De Veen	1906–1913	26	23	FW
	Ray Braine	1925–1939	26	54	FW

The records are collected based on data from FIFA and RSSSF.
Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.

Players with the highest goals per game ratio (greater than one):

, the players with the highest goals per game ratio (greater than one) for Belgium are:

(Players with an equal goals per game ratio are ranked by the most goals scored.)

Rank	Player	Belgium career	Goals	Caps	Position	Goals per game
1	Jules Van Craen	1940	4	2	FW	2
	Georges Quéritet	1904	2	1	FW	2
3	Maurice Willems		4	3	FW	1.3333
4	Robert De Veen	1906–1913	26	23	FW	1.1304

The records are collected based on data from FIFA and RSSSF.
Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.

Most goals in competitive matches: Romelu Lukaku, 60

Most consecutive matches scored in: Jef Mermans, 7

Most consecutive matches scored in starting with debut: Alphonse Six & Maurice Willems, 3 each

Most goals on debut: Josip Weber, 5 goals vs Zambia on 4 June 1994

Most matches played while scoring in each one: Maurice Willems, 3

Most goals in a single calendar year: Romelu Lukaku, 15 in 2023

Most goals scored by a defender: Daniel Van Buyten & Jan Vertonghen, 10 each

Most goals scored by a goalkeeper: Christian Piot, 1

First goal by a substitute: François Van den Eynde, vs on 25 February 1934

Most goals scored as a substitute: Michy Batshuayi, 9

Most goals scored by a substitute in a single game: Bob Peeters, 3 goals vs on 28 February 2001

Most appearances without ever scoring: Thibaut Courtois, 102

Most appearances for an outfield player without ever scoring: Georges Heylens, 67

Most appearances needed to score his first goal: Franky Van der Elst, 79

Most goals scored in extra time:

• Alphonse Six, 1 goal vs on 13 May 1910
• Stéphane Demol, 1 goal vs on 15 June 1986
• Nico Claesen, 1 goal vs on 15 June 1986
• Romelu Lukaku, 1 goal vs on 1 July 2014
• Kevin De Bruyne, 1 goal vs on 1 July 2014

Latest goal scored by a player: Alphonse Six vs on 13 May 1910, in the 114th minute

Latest goal conceded by a goalkeeper: in the 119th minute

• Eddy de Neve on 13 April 1905

Goals in three separate decades:

• Bernard Voorhoof; 1 in 1928, 28 in the 1930s and 1 in 1940
• Erwin Vandenbergh; 1 in 1979, 18 in the 1980s and 1 in 1991
• Axel Witsel; 2 in the 2000s, 7 in the 2010s and 3 in the 2020s
• Jan Vertonghen; 1 in 2009, 8 in the 2010s and 1 in 2023

First Belgian goalscorer at the King Baudouin Stadium: August Hellemans (when it was still the Centenaire Stadium), Michaël Goossens (after it was renamed King Baudouin Stadium)

Scorers of own goals: Robert Hustin, Edgard Poelmans, Oscar Verbeeck, Émile Stijnen, Bob Paverick, Charles Saeys, Walter Meeuws, Régis Genaux, Philippe Albert, Timmy Simons, Olivier Deschacht, Bart Goor, Vincent Kompany, Nacer Chadli, Jan Vertonghen & Timothy Castagne

Hat-tricks

See also: List of Belgium national football team hat-tricks.

Most goals in a match :

• Robert De Veen, 5 goals vs on 30 April 1911
• Bert De Cleyn, 5 goals vs on 23 February 1946
• Josip Weber, 5 goals vs Zambia on 4 June 1994

Including unofficial games: Herbert Potts, 7 goals vs Netherlands B on 28 April 1901^[15]

Four goals in a match :

• Marc Van Der Linden, vs on 1 June 1989 (most goals in an away match)
• Romelu Lukaku, vs on 19 November 2023

Three goals in a match :

• at 33 occasions, see the list of Belgium hat-tricks

Most hat-tricks : Romelu Lukaku, 4 times

Fastest hat-trick : Romelu Lukaku, 13 minutes, vs on 19 November 2023

Fastest hat-trick as a substitute : Bob Peeters, 30 minutes, vs on 28 February 2001

Youngest player to score a hat-trick : Jean Capelle, 18 years, 7 months and 10 days, vs on 5 June 1932

Oldest player to score a hat-trick : Romelu Lukaku, 30 years, 6 months and 6 days, vs on 19 November 2023

Highest number of different players to score (at least) a hat-trick in the same game:

• 2, Sylvain Brébart (3) and Jean Van Cant (3), vs Germany on 23 November 1913
• 2, Josip Weber (5) and Marc Degryse (3), vs Zambia on 4 June 1994
• 2, Thomas Meunier (3) and Romelu Lukaku (3), vs on 31 August 2017

Hat-tricks at major tournaments : Robert Coppée, vs Spain on 29 August 1920 (at the 1920 Olympics)

Penalties

First player to score a penalty : Gaston Hubin vs on 28 January 1912

Most goals scored from penalties : Eden Hazard, 10 goals

Most goals in penalty shoot-outs in competitive games : Nico Claesen, Enzo Scifo, Hugo Broos, Patrick Vervoort & Leo Van der Elst, all 1 goal vs on 22 June 1986

Most goals in penalty shoot-outs, including friendlies:

• Nico Claesen, Enzo Scifo, Hugo Broos, Patrick Vervoort & Leo Van der Elst, all 1 goal vs on 22 June 1986
• Eric Van Meir, Vital Borkelmans, Mbo Mpenza & Philippe Vande Walle, all 1 goal vs on 29 May 1998

Fastest

Fastest goal from kickoff : Christian Benteke, 8.1 seconds vs on 10 October 2016^[16]

Fastest goal in debut match (since World War II) : Tom Caluwé, 2 minutes and 52 seconds vs on 11 May 2006^[17]

Fastest goal by a substitute : Marc Wilmots, 1 minute and 4 seconds vs on 25 March 1992^[18]

Fastest goal at the World Cup finals : Thomas Meunier, 3 minutes and 36 seconds vs on 14 July 2018

Fastest goal at the European Championship finals : Youri Tielemans, 1 minute and 13 seconds vs on 22 June 2024

Age-related

Oldest goalscorer : Wilfried Van Moer, 37 years, 1 month and 27 days, vs Bulgaria on 28 April 1982

Youngest goalscorer : Fernand Nisot, 16 years, 10 months and 27 days, vs on 10 March 1912

Oldest goalscorer at the World Cup finals : Lei Clijsters, 33 years, 7 months and 11 days, 1990 FIFA World Cup, vs on 17 June 1990

Youngest goalscorer at the World Cup finals : Divock Origi, 19 years, 2 months and 4 days, 2014 FIFA World Cup, vs on 22 June 2014

Oldest goalscorer at the European Championship finals : Julien Cools, 33 years, 4 months and 2 days, Euro 1980, vs Spain on 15 June 1980

Youngest goalscorer at the European Championship finals : Émile Mpenza, 21 years, 11 months and 6 days, Euro 2000, vs on 10 June 2000

On major tournaments

Most total goals at the World Cup and European Championship finals: Romelu Lukaku, 11 (1 at the 2014 World Cup, 2 at Euro 2016, 4 at the 2018 World Cup and 4 at Euro 2020)

Most consecutive tournaments with a goal: Romelu Lukaku, 4 (1 goal at the 2014 World Cup, 2 goals at Euro 2016, 4 goals at the 2018 World Cup & 4 goals at Euro 2020)

Most goals at the Olympic Games finals: Robert Coppée (in 1920) & Raymond Braine (in 1928), 4 each

Most goals in an Olympic Games finals match: Robert Coppée, 3 goals vs Spain on 29 August 1920, 1920 Summer Olympics

FIFA World Cup

Most goals in a single World Cup tournament: Romelu Lukaku, 4 (2018)

Most total goals at World Cup tournaments: Marc Wilmots (1998 & 2002) & Romelu Lukaku (2014 & 2018), 5 each

Most goals in a single World Cup qualifying campaign: Romelu Lukaku, 11 (2018 World Cup qualifying)

Most goals in a single World Cup finals match:

• Bernard Voorhoof, 2 goals vs Germany on 27 May 1934, 1934 World Cup
• Pol Anoul, 2 goals vs on 17 June 1954, 1954 World Cup
• Wilfried Van Moer, 2 goals vs on 3 June 1970, 1970 World Cup
• Marc Wilmots, 2 goals vs on 20 June 1998, 1998 World Cup
• Romelu Lukaku, 2 goals vs on 18 June 2018 and 2 goals vs on 23 June 2018, 2018 World Cup
• Eden Hazard, 2 goals vs on 23 June 2018, 2018 World Cup

Most goals in a single World Cup qualifying match: Marc Van Der Linden, 4 goals vs on 1 June 1989, 1990 World Cup qualifying First goal in a World Cup finals match: Bernard Voorhoof vs Germany on 27 May 1934, 1934 World Cup

First goal in a World Cup qualifying campaign: Jean Capelle, vs on 25 February 1934, 1934 World Cup qualifying

UEFA European Championship

Most goals in a single European Championship tournament: Romelu Lukaku, 4 (2020)

Most goals in total at European Championship tournaments: Romelu Lukaku, 6 (2016 & 2020)

Most goals in a single European Championship qualifying campaign: Romelu Lukaku (Euro 2024 qualifying), 14

Most goals in a single European Championship finals match: Romelu Lukaku, 2 goals vs on 18 June 2016, Euro 2016, and 2 goals vs on 12 June 2021, Euro 2020

Most goals in a single European Championship qualifying match

• Romelu Lukaku, 4 goals vs on 19 November 2023, Euro 2024 qualifying

First goal in a European Championship finals match: Odilon Polleunis vs on 14 June 1972, Euro 1972

First goal in a European Championship qualifying campaign: Jacques Stockman vs on 4 November 1962, Euro 1964 qualifying

Captains

First captain : Camille Van Hoorden

Most appearances as captain : Eden Hazard, 59

Most captaincies

The following are the top ten players assigned as captain the most times (at the start of an international game):

Correct as of 1 December 2022, after the match against Croatia.

Rank	Player	Captaincy	Times	Position
1	Eden Hazard	2015–2022	59	MF/FW
2	Jan Ceulemans		48	MF/FW
3	Jef Jurion	1960–1967	39	MF
4	Paul Van Himst	1964–1974	38	FW
	Vincent Kompany	2010–2019	38	DF
6	Armand Swartenbroeks	1914–1928	37	DF
7	Timmy Simons	2004–2009	36	DF/MF
8	Jef Mermans	1949–1956	30	FW
9	Eric Gerets	1980–1991	26	DF
10	Georges Grün	1989–1995	25	DF

Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.

Disciplinary

Red cards

2 expulsions: Eric Deflandre, Vincent Kompany & Axel Witsel

List of all Belgian players sent off once:

Pierre Braine, Mathieu Bollen, Georges Heylens, Pierre Hanon, Walter Meeuws, Alexandre Czerniatynski, Philippe Albert, Pascal Renier, Gert Verheyen, Tjörven De Brul, Marc Wilmots, Filip De Wilde, Olivier De Cock, Bart Goor, Mousa Dembélé, Anthony Vanden Borre, Marouane Fellaini, Nicolas Lombaerts, Steven Defour & Amadou Onana

First player to get an expulsion: Pierre Braine, vs on 26 May 1927

First substitute to get an expulsion: Mathieu Bollen, vs on 19 April 1959

First player to be expelled by receiving two yellow cards: Walter Meeuws, vs on 14 October 1981

First substitute to be expelled by receiving two yellow cards: None

Youngest player to get an expulsion: Mousa Dembélé, aged 19 years, 2 months and 25 days, vs on 11 October 2006

Oldest player to get an expulsion: Filip De Wilde, aged 35 years, 11 months and 14 days, vs on 8 June 2000

Fastest expulsion by a starting player: 27 minutes, Eric Deflandre vs on 24 March 2001

Fastest expulsion by a substitute: 3 minutes, Alexandre Czerniatynski, vs on 6 June 1984

Fastest expulsion by receiving two yellow cards: 29 minutes, Eric Deflandre, vs on 9 October 2004

Shortest time between two yellow cards: 0 minutes, Eric Deflandre, vs on 9 October 2004

Highest number of expulsions of Belgian players in a single game: 2 expulsions: Eric Deflandre and Bart Goor, vs on 9 October 2004

Highest total number of expulsions in a single game: 3 expulsions; Georges Heylens, Dobrivoje Trivić & Dragan Džajić, vs on 16 October 1968

Yellow cards

First player to get a yellow card : Odilon Polleunis, vs Spain on 23 February 1969

First player to get a yellow card as a substitute : François Van der Elst, vs on 25 April 1976

Youngest player to get a yellow card : Anthony Vanden Borre, 17 years, 11 months and 14 days, vs on 8 October 2005

Oldest player to get a yellow card : Jan Vertonghen, 37 years, 2 months and 7 days, vs on 1 July 2024

Highest total of yellow cards received : 18, Vincent Kompany & Jan Vertonghen

Miscellaneous

Player born on the earliest date: Joseph Romdenne, born in 1876, received his only cap on 14 May 1905 vs

First appearance by a player born in the 20th century: Cornelius Elst (born on 25 January 1901) on 21 May 1922 vs

Last appearance by a player born in the 19th century: Nicolas Hoydonckx (born on 29 December 1900) on 26 November 1933 vs

First appearance by a player born in the 21st century: Yari Verschaeren (born on 12 July 2001) on 9 September 2019 vs

First substitute: Georges Mathot replaced Charles Cambier after 46 minutes vs on 26 April 1908

Earliest time in the game to be substituted off: Vincent Kompany, vs on 7 September 2005, in the 12th minute

First substitute who was substituted off again in the same game: Branko Strupar vs on 14 May 2002

Shortest time between being subbed on and being subbed off: Christophe Lepoint vs on 11 August 2010, 15 minutes

Most substitutions in one game:

• 8, vs on 14 May 2002
• 8, vs on 21 August 2002

Most simultaneous substitutions:

• 6, at half-time vs on 19 May 1986
• 6, at half-time vs on 14 May 2002

First game that went into extra time: On 30 April 1905, vs

Club providing the most Belgian internationals in a single match: Anderlecht, 11; in the match vs on 30 September 1964, all outfield players in the second half were from Anderlecht.

Belgian players who later became manager/head coach: Hector Goetinck, François Demol, André Vandewyer, Guy Thys, Walter Meeuws, Paul Van Himst, Wilfried Van Moer, Georges Leekens, René Vandereycken, Franky Vercauteren (caretaker) and Marc Wilmots

Penalties

Most saves in penalty shoot-outs in competitive games: Jean-Marie Pfaff, 1 vs (penalty of Eloy Olaya) on 22 June 1986

Most saves in penalty shoot-outs, including friendlies: Philippe Vande Walle, 2 vs (penalties by Rob Lee and Les Ferdinand) on 29 May 1998

Most misses in penalty shoot-outs in competitive games: None

Most misses in penalty shoot-outs, including friendlies: Enzo Scifo, 1 vs on 29 May 1998

Clean sheets

Most clean sheets: Thibaut Courtois, 51

Most clean sheets in competitive matches: Thibaut Courtois, 42

Most clean sheets in total at the World Cup and European Championship finals: Thibaut Courtois, 13 (2 at the 2014 World Cup, 3 at Euro 2016, 3 at the 2018 World Cup, 3 at Euro 2020 and 2 at the 2022 World Cup)

Most clean sheets in a single World Cup tournament: Thibaut Courtois, 3 (2018)

Most clean sheets in total at World Cup tournaments: Thibaut Courtois, 7 (2 in 2014, 3 in 2018 and 2 in 2022)

Most clean sheets in a single European Championship tournament: Thibaut Courtois, 3 (2016 and 2020)

Most clean sheets in total at European Championship tournaments: Thibaut Courtois, 6 (3 in 2016 and 3 in 2020)

Most clean sheets in a single Olympic Games finals tournament: Jean De Bie, 2 (1920)

Most clean sheets in total at the Olympic Games finals: Jean De Bie, 2 (both in 1920)

References

Sources

• Book: Henshaw, Richard . The Encyclopedia of World Soccer . 1979 . New Republic Books . Washington, D.C. . 0-915220-34-2 .

External links

• RBFA website about all matches
• RSSSF archive of results 1904–
• RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers
• The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
• World Football Elo Ratings
• The Red Devils Archive

Notes and References

1. Web site: Belgium - List of International Matches . 7 September 2013 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160701150657/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/belg-intres.html . 1 July 2016.
2. Book: Guldemont . Henry . Deps . Bob . 100 ans de football en Belgique: 1895–1995, Union royale belge des sociétés de football association . fr. 1995 . Vif . Brussels . 90-5466-151-8 . 66.
3. Web site: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking . . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007050943/http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/index.html. dead. 7 October 2011.
4. Web site: World Football Elo Ratings: Belgium . World Football Elo Ratings web site and Advanced Satellite Consulting . 18 August 2013 .
5. Web site: Belgium v France − a 109-year-old rivalry . . 13 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160625095456/http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid%3D1980808.html . 25 June 2016.
6. Web site: The "Derby der Lage Landen" . Karel . Stokkermans . 6 March 2014 . 16 May 2014 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160629063447/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesb/belnedres.html . 29 June 2016.
7. Web site: Kirin Cup . Santiago . Cruz . 12 June 2009 . . 10 November 2014 .
8. Web site: Belgium and Turkey claim awards, Hungary return . 3 December 2015 . 30 December 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160721140211/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/news/y%3D2015/m%3D12/news%3Dbelgium-and-turkey-claim-awards-hungary-return-2741598.html . 21 July 2016.
9. News: Belgium honoured with the FIFA Fair Play Award . FIFA News . 29 June 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153154/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=82624/index.html. dead. 22 February 2014.
10. News: Rode Duivels zijn grote slokop op Sportgala . . nl. 14 December 2014 . 14 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141214234955/http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/ander_nieuws/1.2181061 . 14 December 2014 . dead .
11. Web site: Association Awards . . 20 May 2015.
12. Web site: Men's Ranking. FIFA.com. 14 December 2022.
13. Web site: Alle Rode Duivels. . nl. 14 August 2013.
14. Web site: Belgium national football team match results . EU-Football.info . 5 September 2013 .
15. Book: nl. Jean . Fraiponts . Dirk . Willocx . Kroniek van het Belgische voetbal / Pioniers en Rode Duivels - 1863-1906 . Assoc. BE bvba . Antwerp . 2003 . 1 . 978-90-77314-01-2 . . Extract consulted online on 30 August 2010 on Beerschot Athletic Club
16. News: Record-breaking Benteke scores after 8.1 seconds. UEFA.com. 10 October 2016 . 12 October 2016.
17. Web site: Invaller Michy Batshuayi (bijna) snelste Rode Duivel ooit die scoort bij interlanddebuut . nr10.be . nl. 6 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150601024828/http://nr10.be/nieuws/invaller-michy-batshuayi-bijna-snelste-rode-duivel-ooit-die-scoort-bij-interlanddebuut . 1 June 2015 . dead .
18. Web site: Friendly Match 1992 : France vs Belgium . . 20 May 2015 . fr. 21 June 2018.

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