Nicolas Raskin
CM
Ball-Winning Midfielder
Feb 23, 2001 (25)
Right
5'10"
163 lb
Sets up teammate versus USA
Raskin assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), four tackles (three won) and two chances created in Monday's 4-1 win against USA.
Analysis: Raskin drew his second start in the competition, as he got the call over Kevin De Bruyne, was highly energetic and mostly contributed defensively, but he also teed up Charles De Ketelaere with a square ball, recording his second assist in the competition. He has posted at least one tackle in all five tilts despite his seesawing minutes, racking up nine (four won) and posting also four chances created, four crosses (three accurate) and two shots (two on target). This marked his third appearance in a row with at least one clearance, for a total of six.
64 minutes against Senegal
Raskin generated one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Senegal.
Analysis: Raskin appeared off the bench in the 56th minute in a shocking move Wednesday, coming on the field for seasoned veteran Kevin De Bruyne. He would complete 47 passes to go along with a shot and a cross, helping control the midfield after two goals from Senegal. He has now appeared in all four games at the World Cup, although only one start has come his way.
Provides assist in win
Raskin assisted once to go with one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Friday's 5-1 win against New Zealand.
Analysis: Raskin started Friday's 5-1 win over New Zealand on the bench before coming on in the second half as coach Rudi Garcia rotated his squad with Belgium firmly in control. Entering with the result all but secured, the midfielder still made an impact by setting up Romelu Lukaku's 86th-minute goal to cap off the dominant performance. Belgium's convincing victory sealed top spot in Group G and punched their ticket to the Round of 32.
Reliable in holding role
Raskin registered one tackle (zero won) in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Iran.
Analysis: Raskin delivered another composed and disciplined performance in Sunday's goalless draw with Iran, registering one tackle in a holding midfield role that provided Belgium with defensive structure. The midfielder continued to build on the positive impression he made coming off the bench against Egypt, and his reliable presence alongside Youri Tielemans gave the Belgian midfield a more solid defensive foundation than was evident in the first group game, even if the collective attacking output remained insufficient. His consistency and pressing intensity across both appearances have made the strongest possible case for a starting role against New Zealand, where Belgium will need a midfielder capable of winning the ball and immediately transitioning quickly to unlock a side that will attempt to defend deep.
Presses for starting role
Raskin recorded one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Monday's 1-1 draw against Egypt.
Analysis: Raskin came off the bench in the second half to replace Amadou Onana and immediately demonstrated the pressing intensity and ball-winning aggression that had been missing from Belgium's midfield throughout the first hour, registering two tackles and injecting a dynamism that helped his side control the final stages after Romelu Lukaku's equalizing impact. The midfielder's lively display stood in sharp contrast to Onana's more subdued performance and will force a genuine selection debate ahead of the Iran fixture, with Raskin making a strong case for a starting role in a match Belgium simply cannot afford to drop points in. His energy and physicality in central areas give Belgium an important alternative midfield profile, and his performance in Seattle showed that he has more than just a substitute role to fight for as the tournament progresses with Belgium.
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