Marc Wilmots landed after the Welsh disillusionment. Robert Martinez is appointed head of the national team. He embarks with him Thierry Henry. The composition of the staff proves even more that the Belgian generation has talent and that the top coaches want to work, shape these talents. Qualifications for the World Cup are a formality. The Devils no longer meet major countries in their official matches. Balance sheet: 9 victories and a share in 10 matches. Romelu Lukaku alone scored 11 goals in a group including Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Cyprus and Gibraltar.
The World Cup in Russia opens with 3 victories for the Belgians. Panama (0-3) and Tunisia (2-5) do not measure up. The victory against England on a goal ofAdnan Januzaj gives 1st place in the group and promises the Devils the toughest route to reach the final.
Japan stand in the way of Roberto Martinez’s men in the Round of 16. After a balanced first half, it’s a cold shower at the start of the second period. Haraguchi (48′) et Hate (52′) make it 2-0 in quick succession. The Welsh specter resurfaces and it is once again believed that the golden generation will fall to an opponent within their reach.
It is without counting on a fierce will of the Belgian players who trigger an exceptional reversal of situation. Jan Vertonghen reduced the gap in the 69th minute before Marouane Fellaini equalized (74′). Stoppage time will produce a magical moment that only sport can provide. In the 94th minute, a quick relaunch of Kevin De Bruyne arrive at Thomas Meunier which centers for Romelu Lukakuwho lets the ball pass between his legs. Nacer Chadli is behind and delivers a whole people.
9 seconds 94 hundredths, stopwatch in hand: like Usain Bolt’s 100m. The precise time between the moment when the leather leaves the right glove of Thibaut Courtois and, at the very end of the action, crosses the line of the Japanese goal defended by Kawashima. Belgium qualified by the eye of the needle but knew how to show character and recover from a badly embarked situation. Now to Brazil.
