By a single point. By a drop goal missed or landed, by a penalty between the posts or wide, by a conversion kicked or not… Belgium came within a whisker of pulling off a historic feat on Tuesday in Dubai. But the Belgians, despite their draw with Samoa, will not be going to the 2027 World Cup in Australia (13-13).

Despite that draw, the Black Devils are eliminated because of a try bonus point left behind against Namibia. Cruel… The team-mates of Jean-Maurice Decubber (Soyaux-Angoulême) and Matias Remue (Stade Toulousain) stood toe to toe with the Pacific islanders for a long time.

10th appearance

Less powerful, dominated at the set piece and in the collisions, the Belgians nevertheless rode out the storm for long spells, showing clinical edge and courage in defence. It still was not enough.

Samoa, very poor and in constant decline since the last World Cup (and even before that), did the bare minimum and can breathe a big sigh of relief. They will be taking part in the 10th World Cup in their history.