Romelu Lukaku will look to fire Belgium to a winning start today and the striker readily admits he has been spent the past few months daydreaming about going all the way in Brazil.
The Red Devils begin their Group H campaign against Algeria in Belo Horizonte before games against Russia and South Korea will decide their last-16 fate.
But for Lukaku, who is expected to overcome an ankle injury to play, a place in the knockout stages would not be enough.
Asked if he had prepared for the World Cup by visualising lifting the trophy, he replied: “Yes, of course I have. It was emotional. It’s the biggest tournament in the world and every player wants to lift the cup.
“Every tournament that I have played in I have always tried to win every game. I do everything I can, I will always help the team to defend and literally give it all on the field just to win that game or lift that cup.
“And that’s the mentality we will have in Brazil.”
He added: “If we play like how we can play, and play with a certain desire and have the mentality to win the games, then I think we can qualify for the second round and go from there. I hope we can say we are outsiders but I think we will reach quite far.”
Coach Marc Wilmots, meanwhile, has urged his side to write a new chapter in their nation’s football history as they prepare to return to World Cup finals action for the first time since 2002.
The exciting crop of players at Wilmots’ disposal has led to some suggestions they could repeat their heroics of 1986 when they reached the semi-finals.
He said: “The results of 1986 were very nice but now it is up to us to put aside the history books and write our own.
“This is our first game in a World Cup for 12 years. We see this as a challenge and my players are very hungry.”
Despite scraping through to the finals after an away-goals win over Burkina Faso, Algeria arrived at the tournament in a good vein of form having won three consecutive warm-up games against European opposition.
Their Bosnian coach Vahid Halihodzic said: “We have been waiting for this moment for three years.
“We are in Brazil and I believe we are ready to compete. We are here to try to pass the first round. Belgium are not necessarily stronger than us, anything can happen.”
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Belgium (4-2-3-1):
Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vertonghen; Witsel, Fellaini; Mertens, De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku.
Algeria (4-3-2-1):
Zemmampouche; Mandi, Cadamuro, Bougherra, Ghoulam; Lacen, Bentaleb, Taider; Soudani, Feghouli; Slimani.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Belgium – Romelu Lukaku
With Christian Benteke ruled out through injury, the pressure is on Lukaku to fire for Belgium. The Chelsea forward has been in superb form this season and his power and pace will undobtedly cause problems for the Algerian defenders. Expect him to bully former Rangers defender Bougherra.
Algeria – Sofiane Feghouli
The Valencia winger is perhaps the most talented player in the Algerian ranks. His skill on the ball means he will cause the Belgian defenders problems, esppecially Van Buyten who at 36 may struggle to live with his pace.
SPORT360 PREDICTION
Algeria arrive in Belo Horizonte in fine form but Belgium should prove too strong. The movement of Lukaku, Hazard et al will be too much. Belgium 2-0 Algeria
