After 45 minutes no one saw this coming. The Belgian promises have relinquished a certain victory against Georgia by throwing away a double lead in the second half. A quarter-final is still possible, but how will Belgium crawl straight after this blow?
National coach Jacky Mathijssen described the match against Georgia as a “big test” for his group.
Well, the Belgian promises seemed to pass their exam against the host country with verve for 45 minutes on Saturday evening.
The pressure of having to win? The swirling stadium? A ref of questionable level?
The Devils – who started offensively with Ramazani and Balikwisha – did not seem to be bothered by it in the first half.
After fifteen minutes, De Cuyper took the pressure off early on by heading an unstoppable Vranckx cross into goal. Belgium had the most important bite so quickly: an early opening goal.
The 1-0 immediately caused more cracks in the Georgians – how on earth had they beaten Portugal, we thought? After a great combination between De Ketelaere and Openda, Mamardashvili had to go full steam ahead.
And could someone explain why Balikwisha didn’t get a penalty after an obvious foul? Foreign.
Anyway, the windfall was to no avail for a powerless Georgia. After a ball against Balikwisha’s post, Ramazani was able to head the 2-0 against the nets in the next phase, despite his 1 meter 67.
Match decides, right?
Heaven on the head
So no.
Because after the break it was a lot more difficult for the Devils. Maybe it all went a bit too easy for the break…
40,000 Georgians suddenly received a power surge after a connection hit that came out of the blue. Tsitaishvili immediately blasted past Vandevoordt in the first significant attempt.
Still a touch for the Belgians, who had to hand over control completely afterwards.
Six minutes after the 1-2, Vandevoordt had to risk life and limb to prevent an equalizer. The Genk goalkeeper was also ready for an even bigger chance from the completely detached Azarov.
Pump or drown. A third Belgian goal would have been a grateful life buoy, but an opportunity for De Ketelaere died in the side net.
In the closing minutes, the frenzied fans stood behind their heroes one more time. You just know that one chance will come…
And unfortunately for the Belgians, the ball fell well for executioner Guliashvili, who showed no mercy.
2-2… The sky fell on the head of the Belgians. Gone leader position in the group, on Tuesday there will normally have to be won during the final dance against Portugal.
One thing is certain: then the Devils will have to be at the appointment for 90 minutes, otherwise it will be game over.
FYI: Portugal-Netherlands ended 1-1.
second half, minute 97 match endedsecond half, minute 96. It’s over. 2-2. An almost certain victory is still lost in the 2nd half. This will surely be a blow to the Devils. .
It’s a wrap
2-2. An almost certain victory is still lost in the 2nd half. This will surely be a blow to the Devils.
Yellow card for Ignace Van der Brempt of Belgium Under-21 during second half, minute 96second half, minute 95. Our substitutes did not make us better. Steve Wijnants.
Our substitutes have not made us better.
Steve Wijnants
Yellow card for Giorgi Mamardashvili of Georgia Under-21 during second half, minute 95second half, minute 94. Mamardashvili, meanwhile, also received a yellow card for time wasting. The Georgians are more than happy with an unexpected point. .
Mamardashvili, meanwhile, also received a yellow card for wasting time. The Georgians are more than happy with an unexpected point.
Yellow card for Koni de Winter of Belgium Under-21 during second half, minute 94 second half, minute 93. De Winter takes out another possible counter-attack from the Georgians. A yellow cardboard is his share. .
De Winter picks out another possible counter-attack by the Georgians. A yellow cardboard is his share.
second half, minute 92. A new free kick from De Cuyper ends far from goal at De Ketelaere. He tries to head the ball into the suit, but Mamardashvili can pick. .
A new free kick from De Cuyper ends far from goal at De Ketelaere. He tries to head the ball into the suit, but Mamardashvili can pick.
second half, minute 91.Yellow card for Irakli Azarovi of Georgia Under-21 during second half, minute 91Yellow card for Giorgi Guliashvili of Georgia Under-21 during second half, minute 91second half, minute 90. A long ball from De Cuyper hits the Winter in front of goal. He does not kick himself, but still passes the ball along with Deman. The result is a corner. .
A long ball from De Cuyper ends up in front of De Winter’s goal. He does not kick himself, but still passes the ball along with Deman. The result is a corner.
second half, minute 88. Portugal-Netherlands is over. That other match in group A, between Portugal and the Netherlands, has ended. It ended there 1-1. .
Portugal-Netherlands is over
That other match in group A, between Portugal and the Netherlands, has ended. It ended there 1-1.
second half, minute 88. second half, minute 88. 2-2! It couldn’t last. In minute 87, the Belgians give away the lead. Azarov can drop a cross from the left flank at the 2nd post, Guliashvili heads in. Painful for the Devils. .
2-2!
It couldn’t last. In minute 87, the Belgians give away the lead. Azarov can drop a cross from the left flank at the 2nd post, Guliashvili heads in. Painful for the Devils.
Giorgi Guliashvili (Georgia Under-21) scores. It’s 2 – 2. second half, minute 88.
Goal for Georgia Under-21
Giorgi Guliashvili (Georgia Under-21) scores. It’s 2 – 2.
Second half goal, minute 88 by Giorgi Guliashvili of Georgia Under-21. 2, 2.Georgia Under-21 Belgium Under-21 end
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Yellow card for Aleksandre Kalandadze of Georgia Under-21 during the second half, minute 84second half, minute 83. The Croatian ref intervenes. Kalandadze slaps Openda and gets a ticket for it. .
The Croatian ref then intervenes. Kalandadze slaps Openda and gets a ticket for it.
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