A Dortmund becomes Belgium’s scapegoat
Desolate Belgium trembles after a goalkeeper mistake for the round of 16 – the highlights in the video
Belgium embarrassed themselves against Morocco and feared for a place in the round of 16. Courtois lets a free kick pass from a tight angle. In added time, Aboukhlal sealed the bankruptcy of the Belgians. The highlights in the video.
Before the World Cup, Belgium was one of the favorites for the title. After two bloodless performances, even the round of 16 is in danger. It’s not right in the team anymore. The actors overwhelm each other with accusations.
In the Belgian soccer team, the mood has almost hit rock bottom after the first World Cup preliminary round defeat in almost 30 years. The players of the World Cup third in 2018 reacted with mutual reproaches to the threatening preliminary round, which last happened in France in 1998. The local media are shocked by the Rode Duivels’ performances in Qatar so far. The criticism focuses in particular on top star Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City.
“What’s the matter with De Bruyne”, headlined “Het Nieuwsblad” (Montag) after the bitter 0: 2 (0: 0) against outsiders Morocco on Sunday, which was followed by massive riots in Brussels. Belgium last lost a preliminary round match in the USA in 1994, back then against Saudi Arabia (0-1).
Although Belgium can still avert the impending elimination of the preliminary round on its own, it has to win against Croatia, second at the World Cup, on Thursday. “It’s going to be difficult to qualify now,” even admitted captain Eden Hazard.
“Our defenders are not the fastest”
The belief in the round of 16 does not seem to be too great even among the leading players who are getting on in years. Even before the tournament, De Bruyne had little hope of a successful World Cup. “Our chance was in 2018. Now we’re too old,” the 31-year-old told the English newspaper “Guardian”.
In Qatar, too, De Bruyne honestly and bluntly stated that his team-mates in the national team just didn’t have the level of his team-mates at Manchester City. Criticism of national coach Roberto Martínez was also heard: “I understand the criticism of the tactics, but as a player you can’t do anything about it.”
At the heart of the criticism: Kevin De Bruyne
What: REUTERS
The fact that things are no longer right within the team can be felt both on the pitch in the many individual actions and in the statements made after the games. “Our defenders are not the fastest defenders in the world, but they know that,” said captain Eden Hazard. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois denied any blame for the opening goal against Morocco with a direct free-kick from the near corner. “We’re committing a foul that we shouldn’t commit. Completely unnecessary,” Courtois scolded in the direction of Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier, who was the worst Belgian on Sunday.
