Belgium can cross this Nations League. The Red Devils were strong at times, but still lost 1-2 against France. Yes, Openda finally scored, but Tielemans missed a penalty. The end result is always ultimately the same against Les Bleus. In the Nations League, the Belgians can only mathematically finish in the first two.
What is that against France? The Belgians’ matches against Les Bleus are so cursed. We were unable to beat the French at the 2018 World Cup, not in the ‘final four’ of the Nations League three years ago, not at the 2024 European Championship and therefore not now. However, the Belgians made a positive impression in the King Baudouin Stadium.
Where would Kevin De Bruyne actually have watched this international match? Would King Kev even have been sitting in front of his TV? About a month ago, after a relatively logical defeat in France, our metronome said about his teammates: “If you can’t reach the top, you’re not good enough. Then you have to give everything and some people don’t even do that.”
Bam, that hit really hard. Well, this time De Bruyne – if he had been present – would have been quite happy. Certainly about that good first half of the Belgians. The Devils won the midfield matches against France, provided fast, joint pressing and played quickly forward. It looked good.
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Debast right back
Then you see that Belgium can certainly make something of it, even without our stars Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne. Especially when everyone is in the correct position and none ‘speciallekes’ are done. Domenico Tedesco’s most striking move was Zeno Debast as right back and Timothy Castagne as left back, but that’s it. Debast is really being tested as a right back. Our national eleven was a lot better in the match than last Thursday in the first 40 minutes against Italy.
However, the big problem remains scoring. Jeremy Doku did not have to cover his flank this time and was allowed to enjoy himself. The fast one Jerry enjoyed himself with his partner and flogged his guard Lucas Digne. The Frenchman was booked very quickly and Doku also delivered a few good crosses and long shots. Unfortunately without results. Trossard also failed.
And then of course Loïs Openda is looked to to score goals. But damn, you often get the feeling from that striker that a federal government is being formed faster than he scores for the national eleven. At one point Openda was guided through the defense. The sprint bomb rushed towards goalkeeper Maignan, but hesitated. He was lucky that Saliba tackled him and Belgium got a penalty, but the RB Leipzig man should have always finished it himself.
Well, from eleven meters Belgium had a good chance to take the lead. Only that was not taken into account by Youri Tielemans. He had also missed his last two penalties for Aston Villa and now also shot the ball sky high. Well, then you can keep trying.
Especially because the French on the other side need far fewer options. No, Didier Deschamps’ team with its enormous potential did not play great football, but one hole was enough. Wout Faes committed very clumsy hand play and France also received a penalty. From that distance, Kolo Muani had no doubts: 0-1. Always the same song.
This meant that you were still in danger of going into halftime with an unnecessary deficit. Annoying, but fortunately the home team did not just give up. Belgium recovered from the blow and continued to attack. Just before half time, Timothy Castagne threw a ball in front of goal, and sure enough… Openda put his head against the leather and the ball flew in. Finally, after 18 international matches without a goal, the striker redeemed himself. What a relief.
Rood Tchouaméni
The main goal was to continue the good trend after the break. De Bruyne was silent, but Jan Vertonghen tweeted from his seat: “What will the half-time analysis be now?” He was referring to the analysts who had finished the Belgians against Italy after 45 minutes.
However, maintaining the pace against this France is anything but easy. Belgium could not maintain the pressure, while our southern neighbors became more aggressive. Doku was kept under more control and Les Bleus showed up more in front of goal. A goal by Koné was disallowed for handball, but when a cross arrived, Kolo Muani nodded in his second of the evening. The PSG striker already scored his fourth goal in three matches against Belgium.
Well, anyone who falls behind against such a top team often knows what time it is. Our Devils still tried and hope flared up when Tchouaméni got red when he knocked down Tielemans, but scoring… No, that won’t work anymore. From afar, Kevin De Bruyne will probably have sighed at some point. At times it was much better against France, but in the end the conclusion against Les Bleus is: always the same song.