The World Cup of the Red Devils is already over. In a compelling match against Croatia, the Belgians remained standing, but they also failed to score. Romelu Lukaku missed a huge opportunity four times. Was this the end of our Golden Generation?
Croatia-Belgium in a nutshell:
- Key moment: Only after the contribution of Romelu Lukaku in the second half do the Red Devils prepare something in the front. He does not get the ball in goal four times, so that the Belgians have to leave the tournament.
- Man of the Match: The young Josko Gvardiol almost single-handedly kept the Croatians in the game in the slot. The 20-year-old central defender will have the European top clubs to choose after this World Cup.
- Notable (I): For the first time in the 21st century, the Red Devils have failed to survive the group stage of a major tournament (European / World Cup). Unacceptable for the number 2 in the world.
- Notable (II): In three group games, the Belgians only scored one goal. It has been since 1938 that the Red Devils scored so little at a World Cup.
Has a starting eleven of the Red Devils ever been under such scrutiny as the one against Croatia?
The ball was in Roberto Martinez’s court, who was not afraid to make daring choices. Suddenly there was a base place for Dries Mertens and Leandro Trossard, Yannick Carrasco and Axel Witsel also gained confidence.
Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku? Jokers for the second half.
It was a gamble where the dime almost fell wrong after barely 8 seconds. Perisic immediately shot an opportunity about a meter wide. Within the same opening minutes, the Croats showed up again dangerously – without danger.
Detractors are already sharpening their knives, believers saw that the Devils were still alive.
And around fifteen minutes even forced good opportunities for an opening goal. There was a shot from Carrasco, but above all a huge chance for Mertens. De Bruyne finally sent such a typical splitting pass to the pocket striker. Only Mertens could not disguise a lack of high form: his place ball disappeared far over.
Shame.
Especially when a few minutes later – we were still the opening quarter – Croatia got a penalty. Another unfortunate mistake by Carrasco in the box.
Fortunately, a light started flashing in the VAR control room. The offside machine had seen offside which was actually not visible to the naked eye.
We – unlike the football romantics – did not complain.
Lukaku as joker
After an amazing opening phase, a relative calm fell over the match. Despite the control at the Croats, the Devils went to rest 0-0.
It Perfect Plan van Martinez was still on schedule. Enter the first joker: Romelu Lukaku – once again the savior of the fatherland?
On the instructions of his blood brother KDB, this immediately resulted in a header opportunity. On the other side, Courtois had to save three times. In his hundredth match, the jubilee would not be knocked out.
Only the Devils still had to score themselves.
How often will that one moment in minute 60 still haunt Belgian heads in the future?
De Bruyne perfectly isolated Carrasco in front of goal, but he again collided with Livakovic. The difficult rebound curled Lukaku full on the post.
Last Dance has become slow
Would there be more opportunities like this?
So yes. Five minutes before the end, a cross from Meunier via Lukaku unfortunately went wide. And in minute 90 there was the moment of substitute Thorgan Hazard. Romelu had to push him in, but decided without a chance with his chest.
You can’t simply erase months without competition rhythm…
Symptomatic for the World Cup of the Red Devils. Too many key players did not reach their top level. Two completely below average and one excellent performance: far too little.
Qatar was not a graceful last dance of the Golden Generation, but a slow one that regularly stepped on toes.
What will the future of our national team – without Martinez, it turned out – look like when the first disappointment has subsided?
Croatia national coach: “We suffered and were lucky”
National coach Zlatko Dalic made no secret of the fact that his Croatia escaped elimination. “It was a very difficult match. We knew that Belgium could not play 3 bad matches in a row.”
“We conceded some chances, but were lucky that they were not finished. We never speculated on a draw, wanted to win. Now we have to recover, because we are tired.”
Croat saves the furniture just in front of Lukaku
Lukaku misses a monster chance in the slot
Lukaku deflects the ball just wide
