The Diablotins, engaged in their Euro 2025 qualifying play-off, generally dominated the debates against the Czech Republic. But a big mistake from Senne Lammens, combined with the Czechs’ solid defensive double-curtain, weighed heavily in the balance.
The event was unmissable for the Imps. Second in its qualifying group, Belgium U21 played the first leg of its accession play-off to Euro 2025, which will take place next summer in Slovakia. Gill Swerts’ men must emerge victorious in their double confrontation against the Czech Republic to validate their ticket.
Lammens’ mistake costs the Imps dearly
At Den Dreef Stadion in Louvain, it is the Diablotins who are trying to take things in hand. The first good phase of Stroeykens allows Stassin to cross and Belgium to obtain a first dangerous corner (9th), before a new service from the Anderlechtois for the Stéphanois who, this time, hits too crossly (17th). The third attempt by the former Anderlecht and Westerlo man, on a good delivery from Vermant, found the Czech goalkeeper (26th).
Belgium is well into its game. We then say to ourselves that it is only a matter of time before the opening score, and that taking care of the finish will be the main point of concentration. Forgetting that in football, mistakes happen very quickly. The Imps are in a possession phase in front of their rectangle, Siquet gives to Van den Bosch, who slips to his club goalkeeper, Senne Lammens. He wants to clear in one moment, but finds Karabec who counters the ball directly into the goal (0-1, 34th).
Belgium will have to create the feat in the Czech Republic
A huge cold shower, facing a Czech team which had already started the match with a compact defensive double-curtain, and who were certainly not going to abandon it by leading the score in a slightly unexpected way. And just after the restart, a blocked delivery ending on Lammens’ post caused a huge cold sweat (49th). At 0-2, the Imps’ hopes would probably have already been dashed.
However, Belgium is still in the match. Spaces are rare and the Imps must take advantage of it: Stassin is the man for the job. Superbly launched from deep, the Saint-Etienne striker thinks of equalizing, but is flagged offside (60th). At the hour mark, Gill Swerts made three surprising changes. Mandela Keita and Lucas Stassin, among the best Belgians on the pitch, give way to Norman Bassette and Eliott Matazo. At the same time, Kazeem Olaigbe replaces Matteo Dams to try to bring more weight to the sides.
Olaigbe, from Cercle, also gets a big opportunity shortly after his climb, but the young left winger takes too long before giving up his ball and sees the Czech goalkeeper seize it (67th). If the Imps still created a few opportunities, the coin fell on the Czech side. On a corner and a second ball hanging around the edge of the small rectangle, Fila made the break and gave his country a huge cushion. 0-2 final score, Belgium will have to achieve a feat to see Euro 2025.
