How did Napoleon’s army enter Belgium before the Battle of Waterloo?

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Historical battle map showing troop positions at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, near Brussels, Belgium. Red lines represent Anglo-Dutch infantry and cavalry under Wellington, positioned north of French forces. Blue lines show French infantry and cavalry under Napoleon, with both armies facing each other across a central road. Key locations like Chateau de Goumont (Hougoumont) and Plancenoit are labeled, and an inset map highlights the location within present-day Belgium and Europe. — Battle of Waterloo Battle of Waterloo, June 18, 1815.

Napoleon’s army crossed into the southern Netherlands (modern-day Belgium) on June 15, 1815. By the end of that day, through skillful and audacious maneuvering, Napoleon had successfully deployed his forces in a compact front approximately 12 miles (19 km) wide. This positioning allowed him to effectively separate the British and Prussian forces, placing his army in a strategic position to operate against either opponent.1