Lhe Red Devils lost 1-0 against Israel on Sunday evening after a match lacking in chances. If this new defeat made the front page of the Belgian press this Monday, it was also briefly commented on abroad.
Pour The TeamDomenico Tedesco’s men were “logically defeated by the Israelis”. “If the Belgians hoped to show a more attractive face than in their previous outings, their match against Israel went in the opposite direction. […] They didn't seem very motivated to win, like Leandro Trossard, who came off very quickly after a kick to the foot in the 37th minute. […] Despite a very disappointing balance sheet, the Belgians ensured the essential: clinching 3rd place in group 2 by beating their evening opponent on goal difference. »
“Painful end of year”, writes Eurosport France which also sees “a deserved success for Israel” against a “Belgium shining with mediocrity”. “Opposed to an Israeli team looking for its first success, the Red Devils showed absolutely nothing and therefore experienced great disillusionment with the 81st nation in the world. […] Humiliated in a one-sided match, Belgium confirms that it is going through a very serious crisis. »
“Israel and Belgium did not put on a great show in Budapest”, we can read on the side of the Gazzetta dello Sport. “The match gave rise to a lot of experimentation. In the first half, the visitors were slightly more enterprising but never really dangerous. Towards the end of the half, the only Israeli chance came from David, whose shot was promptly saved by Casteels. Abu Fani on one side and Openda on the other tried to make an appearance at the start of the second half, before the pace inexorably dropped. The match looked set to be a 0-0 draw, but in the 86th minute a glaring Belgian error paved the way for Shua's winning goal. »
“Too little for a team supposed to compete with the biggest”
“The crisis for Belgium… despite the salvation”, headlines the Spanish daily AS on its site, the salvation being having avoided direct relegation. “Domenico Tedesco’s Belgium cannot get back up. An elimination in the round of 16 at the Euro after a very disappointing group stage and then, these last three defeats which are a waste. […] Belgium loses again, as it is accustomed to in this Nations League where it has only taken four points in six matches. This is too little for a team which is supposed to have the level to compete with the biggest teams in Europe. This will not be the case during the final phase of this Nations League. »
In England, The Guardian believes that “Israel sank Belgium with a late goal”, while in the Netherlands, General Daily writes that “Belgium has made a fool of itself in front of Israel”.
France
