It was a sad series that the Red Devils achieved yesterday after their defeat against Italy (0-1). With this new setback, Belgium went a fourth consecutive match without a victory. To find this series of bad results, we have to go back more than 10 years.
March 5, 2014, the Red Devils face Ivory Coast Yaya Toure and of Didier Drogba in an almost full King Baudoin stadium. A few months earlier, the team led by its captain Vincent Kompany and by its rising star Eden Hazard had completed a historic campaign and qualified for the World Cup, a first in twelve years. This golden generation was gradually beginning to establish itself on the international scene and was even considered by some as the outsiders of the competition.
Training led by Marc Wilmots However, he has had a series of poor results over the past few matches. The draw against Wales during the last qualifying match had somewhat marred the celebration and the two defeats against Colombia (0-2) and Japan (2-3) put a little doubt in the heads of some specialists. The Devils therefore want to achieve a good result against the Ivorians. As against Wales, Belgium leads during the first 70 minutes thanks to goals from Marouane Fellaini et Radja Nainggolan but is still surprised in the last moments of the meeting by Didier Drogba et Max Gradel. A victory which still passes under their noses and which results in a fourth consecutive match without a victory. A series that Belgians will not experience for ten years.
With winning streaks and a historic third place at the 2018 World Cup, this team has had some very good times over these ten years. However, it has changed a lot since that time. Only two players are still present in the Belgian ranks compared to 2014, Romelu Lukaku et Koen Casteels. On the bench during the match against Ivory Coast, the two players were present this time against Italy. Despite saves and attempts on goal, the two survivors were unable to avoid defeat this Thursday.
Belgium
