Charles De Ketelaere’s reinvention powers Belgium as Spain test looms | OneFootball

Charles De Ketelaere’s brace in Belgium’s 4-1 last-16 win over the United States showcased an assertive forward. Spain await in Friday’s quarter-final at 21:00, and he also set up Hans Vanaken.

As reported by L'Équipe, he is set to start five of six matches in the United States, the only one missed a 0-0 with Iran on 21 June due to a swollen right knee after 12 February meniscus surgery. Criticism followed the 3-2 round-of-32 win over Senegal after extra time, then came the breakthrough against the United States.

The Atalanta forward, 25, called it his best game for Belgium. He has seven goals and five assists for his club in all competitions this season.

Raised near Bruges’ Jan Breydel Stadium, the 1.92m talent split youth between tennis and football. He won league titles in 2020, 2021 and 2022 plus Super Cups in 2021 and 2022 with Club Bruges, before a record €30m move to Milan in 2022 slowed him.

At Atalanta, initially on loan in 2023 then permanent a year later, his former coach Gian Piero Gasperini remade him as a second striker, adding power. That shift culminated in Europa League glory, a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in May 2024, only the club’s second trophy after the 1963 Coppa Italia.

On 34 caps and eight goals, he is adapting to intense pressing in his advanced role. Romelu Lukaku, now a supersub, urges him to live in the six-yard box, while Rudi Garcia praises his growing aggression and movement.

Source: L'Équipe