Delph admits semi loss will hurt badly as Martinez hails Belgium’s best ever finish

national game. The former Everton boss declared the tournament a success for his team in the wake of their play-off win in St Petersburg, which ensured Belgium’s best ever finish in a World Cup.

Martinez said: “We set a real milestone and it is exactly what these players deserved. We wanted to win it. Obviously, when you beat Brazil and get into the semifinals, the focus has to be on trying to win the World Cup.

“But we also have to be realistic and when you look back at the tournament, these players made history back in Belgium and that is all that matters.”

The gaffer also noted that his team had gone one step further than the Belgian squad at the 1986 World Cup, who lost their play-off game and finished fourth.

He added: “The generation of ’86 in Mexico were always an inspiration and set a vision for football in Belgium. Now this group of players have exceeded that – and that’s historic.

“It’s taken 32 years to be in this position and that gives a real sense of satisfaction.

“It’s the manner in which we achieved it. The way we played with our brand of Belgian football, the togetherness and the flexibility we had showed tactically.

“It has been a really successful journey, but in football you need to look forward and look to improve with the next opportunity we have.’’

But following this achievement, the Belgium boss believes the nation now must work on their junior structures and getting their age-group teams winning more.

“So that there can be a seamless flow of talent into the national team,” he added.

Martinez also said allowing the players’ families in the team camp after Tuesday’s 1- 0 semi-final loss to France had lifted the mood for the third-place play-off, always a difficult match for sides still gutted after missing out on the World Cup final.

But despite his side not making the final themselves he insists today’s decider will produce a worthy winner.

He explained: “Losing in the Euros two years ago has made France a much better team while Croatia are the story of this World Cup.

“It’s incredible for a nation of three and a half million and inspiring for the rest of the world. If Croatia can win, then we will all be able to dream of doing it.”