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Belgium's first-ever recorded game of international football was against
France in 1904, which resulted in a 3-3 draw. Since then, the Belgium
national football team has represented the country in numerous FIFA World
Cup campaigns, under the control of the Belgian Football Association (Koninklijke
Belgische Voetbalbond).
Nicknamed the Rode Duivels (Red Devils), the Belgium national football team has
entered every World Cup, albeit with mixed results. For instance, in the 1930,
1934 and 1938 World Cups, Belgium made it to Round 1. In the 1958, 1962 and 1966
World Cups the team failed to qualify, and this pattern repeated itself until
the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where Belgium finished in fourth.
That year, Belgium competed against Mexico, Paraguay and Iraq in Group B.
Although defeated by Mexico 2-1, Belgium progressed to Round 2 after drawing
with Paraguay and defeating Iraq. In Round 2 Belgium defeated the then Soviet
Union in a game that saw the Soviet Union lose by 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
Round 3 saw Belgium defeat Spain by 5-4 in another penalty shootout. However, in
a semi-final match, Belgium was defeated 2-0 by Argentina thanks to the skills
of the talented Argentinean, Maradona. Finally, a 2-4 loss to France in the
third-place match, gave the Belgium national football team its fourth place
overall.
Top Belgium footballers over the years include Bernard Voorhoof, Paul van Himst,
Marc Wilmots, Joseph Mermans, Robert de Veen, Raymond Braine, Marc Degryse, Jan
Ceulemans, Wesley Sonck, Henri 'Rik' Coppens and Léopold Anoul.
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