Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen were not fit enough to start for Belgium in the first match of the 2018 World Cup against Panama.
Robert Martinez started Dedryck Boyata and the 27-year-old made his World Cup debut as Belgium registered a 3-0 victory in Sochi.
Celtic’s Boyata impressed for the national side in their first fixture in Russia. Having made his Belgium debut in 2010, the defender had to wait for eight years to play in his first major tournament with Belgium.
The former Manchester City man, who HLN say was in ‘dreamland’, struggled to find words to express his delight at starting for Belgium in a World Cup fixture.
“And then I have to admit that this … (looking for his words) was special. A dream that became reality. If you would have told me two years ago that I would experience this, I would not have believed you,” Boyata told Het Laatste Nieuws.
Belgium will face Tunisia in their second group stage fixture. Boyata is not sure if he will be included in the starting lineup or whether he’ll have to settle for a place on the bench.
“The coach decides. If he puts me on the bench in the interests of the team, then I cannot say anything against him. The collective [efforts of the team] counts (winks), but I feel good,” he said.
When the former Everton manager announced the 23-man squad, there were reservations whether it was the right choice to take Boyata to Russia. The Celtic defender remains hopeful that he has cleared the doubts of his critics following his display in Belgium’s opening match in the World Cup.
Boyata has one year left on his contract with Brendan Rodgers’ side. HLN claims several scouts were in attendance to watch him in action, and Lazio have put the defender on their wish-list. The player has raised concerns if he will be playing with Celtic next season.
“Regarding my future, I am not worried about it. We’ll see after the World Cup if I will continue with Celtic again,” the defender explained.
