Belgium has set its sights on the Euro 2020 after another disappointing elimination in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Belgium’s 1-0 defeat against France in the semi-finals on Tuesday could have been the last match – excluding the duel for third place on Saturday – for some veterans of the Red Devils.
Head coach Roberto Martinez is now set to build on Belgium’s best ever World Cup performance since losing to Argentina in the semifinal in 1986.
“As they happen at every major tournament, you have to take a look at younger generations and try to improve,” said Martinez after the defeat.
“From one tournament to another, it’s our motivation and our ambition. Belgium has a rich pool of talented young players, and in my role I eye to the 2020 Euro.” Martinez added.
The Belgian defense will need a renewal soon. Vincent Kompany is 32 years old and has already had to overcome several injuries during his career. Jan Vertonghen, meanwhile, he is a year younger.
They could stay on for the next European championship in two years, but the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 may be a bit too far.
Belgium lost to France in World Cup semi-finals after Samuel Umtiti scoring a 1-0 for his team. (Source:www.thetelegraph.co.uk)
Martinez, who supports a defense to three men, will also wish to breakthrough a new back side to come to support Thomas Meunier, the bearer of Paris Saint-Germain who was suspended in the semi-finals. Yannick Carrasco, who plays for a club in China, lost points in Russia.
Over the last ten years, talented teenagers have quickly left the Belgian League for more attractive challenges abroad.
Midfielder Eden Hazard has been successful in France and England. Thibaut Courtois was able to stand out with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and many others have imitated them.
Recently, this pool of talented teenagers began to dry up. Midfielder Yuri Tielemans, the youngest to break through this group, moved from Anderlecht to Monaco at the age of 20 last year. However, he scored no goal in the France Ligue 1 and was little played in Russia.
Martinez has the basics to build a great formation. De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku and Courtois are all world-class players in their mid-twenties.
Kompany is of the opinion that the Belgians’ performance in Russia, they had scored the most goals during the tournament before Tuesday’s semifinal, should increase the level of confidence of the soccer in Belgium.
