‘Golden era’ ends in a WC whimper
DOHA - Belgium’s World Cup never got off the ground as they were unable to find the spark that took them to third place in 2018, and they spent much of their time batting away questions of infighting within the squad as they bowed out on Thursday.
Roberto Martinez’s side missed a host of chances to claim the win they needed against Croatia to advance from Group F, with striker Romelu Lukaku’s lack of match sharpness telling as they had to settle for a goalless draw and third in the pool.
Lukaku was frustrated and in tears at the final whistle after failing to convert from just a few yards out on three separate occasions, chances he would gobble up when fully fit.
One goal scored across three matches tells its own story and while Belgium saved their best performance for last, they will be left frustrated by their lack of a clinical touch.
It looks to be the end for a generation of players that promised so much, but the memories from this tournament will be of a fractured team unable to rekindle past performances.
Curiously, senior players openly had little faith in their ability to lift the trophy, with captain Eden Hazard saying he thought their best chance of being crowned world champions was four years ago in Russia and Kevin De Bruyne suggesting their “Golden Generation” were now too old.
De Bruyne’s on-field spat with defender Toby Alderweireld over tactics in the scratchy 1-0 win over Canada summed up Belgium’s time in Qatar and fuelled the narrative that it was an unhappy camp.
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REUTERS