Belgium was knocked out of Euro 2020 after losing to Italy in the quarter-finals. So is this the end of their golden generation?
Belgium is actually one of the favorites to win Euro 2020. The Red Devils were able to get through the group phase perfectly, sweeping three matches with a win.
In the round of 16, Belgium continued its might. Defending champion Portugal was defeated by a score of 1-0.
Then in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, Belgium’s dream must be buried deep. They were eliminated by Italy in a match that was held at the Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany on Saturday (3/7/2021) early morning WIB.
Belgium vs Italy ended with a score of 1-2. Italy was able to take the lead through goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne and only replied through Romelu Lukaku’s penalty.
Italy beats Belgium (AP/Matthias Schrader) |
Belgium has a composition of players who have the nickname Golden Generation. That refers to players such as Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, to Romelu Lukaku.
At least in the last five years, the composition of the players has not changed. Even the players of the golden generation are at a ripe age.
What can they do, they failed to bring home the Euro 2020 trophy. Their best achievement, only winning three at the 2018 World Cup.
Will this European Cup be the last event for Belgium’s golden generation?
“I don’t want to talk about it. To be sure, we are all sad because we failed in this tournament,” said the coach of the Belgian national team, Roberto Martinez as quoted from Sky Sports.
“I will evaluate the team’s game so far, but clearly this failure is not the fault of the players. They have given everything and fought hard,” continued Martinez.
 Roberto Martinez (Getty Images/Andreas Geber – Pool) |
There is still the 2022 World Cup. However, the age of most Belgian golden generations at that time had entered their third head.
Belgium is also creating the next generation of gold. Call it potential young players, among others Timothy Castagne (25 years), Jeremy Doku (19 years), Youri Tielemans (24 years), Leander Dendoncker (26 years), and Leandro Trossard (26 years).
“Don’t forget, we were also hit by a storm of injuries before the tournament started. So seeing the performance of the team that continues to fight optimally, has become happiness for Belgian fans,” concluded Martinez, whose contract with the Belgian national team will expire in the summer of 2022.
 Belgia remuk di Euro 2020 (Getty Images/Christof Stache – Pool) |
Check out other interesting information from Euro 2020/2021 at the following link.
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