Bruyne, since his international debut in 2010, has seen a lot with the national side. In his debut WC back in 2014, his team reached the quarterfinals after achieving their first qualification in 12 years.
In the next edition, they fell short, but fared better with a third place finish before crashing out in the group stage in the 2022 edition held in Qatar.
Speaking to the reporters ahead of the match, Bruyne said, as quoted by Reuters, “I think I am probably at a moment in my career where I can maybe enjoy it (playing for the country) more.”