There is still a chance in the World Cup finals in Qatar next year, but the "golden generation" of Belgium will inevitably realize that its exit from the European Football Championship 2020 against Italy on Friday means the loss of a new opportunity to win a major championship.
Belgium was one of the most prominent teams nominated to win the current European Championship, after it remained for more than a thousand days at the top of the international classification list of teams issued by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) monthly.
But the team admitted, after losing 1-2 against the Italian counterpart in the quarter-finals in Munich, Germany, that it was not the best team on this night.
Bellissimo 🥰
Insigne curls the ball beyond Courtois 🎯
Goal of the Round contender?@GazpromFootball |
#EUROGOTR |
#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fVrkbD58z8
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 2, 2021
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez, who is expected to continue at the helm of the team's technical staff, said, hoping to achieve glory next year;
"There were two very good teams in this knockout stage, and the nuances decided the confrontation."
Second exit in a row
Belgium aspired to win a major championship for the first time, after reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but again came out empty-handed despite achieving 13 consecutive wins in the tournament qualifiers and finals before yesterday's match.
The recent exit is a shocking blow to the star-studded and talented team, while some of its main strengths were not fully prepared in the current tournament, which caused the failure.
Kevin De Bruyne entered the tournament with a double fracture in the face, and ended the competition playing despite a rupture of the ankle ligaments, but despite all that he was the main source of threat to the Italian team.
Donnarumma shines by blocking 🧤 shotgun 🔥 from De Bruyne 👨 # Euro 2020 # Belgium_Italy pic.twitter.com/OpPlx6rks8
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 2, 2021
Due to a hamstring injury, captain Eden Hazard did not participate in the match after participating strongly in the team's matches during the last two years, and his absence certainly had a clear negative impact on the performance.
Romelu Lukaku, the historical top scorer for Belgium and one of the most prominent players in the current tournament, missed a golden opportunity in the second half, when he hit the ball towards Leonardo Spinazola, not into the net, and then Belgium was deprived of an opportunity to equalize and turn the situation in its favour.
Leonardo Spinazzola 🧱 protects Donnarumma's goal from a confirmed goal with Lukaku's feet # Euro 2020 # Belgium_Italy pic.twitter.com/0ZEWO8Dldy
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 2, 2021
Anger and disappointment
"We had chances," De Bruyne said. "In the second half they had the most possession of the ball, but we were the best. Yes, some will feel angry and disappointed, but the fans know that we tried to do our best."
Time running out for Belgium ⌛️
Will there be a late twist?#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/J8CyjPuaoa
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 2, 2021
Martinez, whose contract runs until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will have to consider some tough decisions when the World Cup qualifiers resume in September.
Will the Spanish coach move forward for another year with the same squad dominated by the elderly, or will he inject new blood and end the international career of players such as Dries Mertens, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen?
🇧🇪 Chadli & Mertens on for Belgium.
Will they find an equaliser?#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/1vPmmYwQ17
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 2, 2021
There are also some emerging talents, such as midfielder Yuri Tillmans and rookie Jeremy Dukaux, who presented an outstanding performance against Italy that revived the hopes of their team through their skills and speed.
"The overwhelming feeling is sadness and disappointment because I didn't want these players to leave the tournament," said coach Martinez. "The players gave everything they could to continue to the furthest point in the tournament."