The Red Devils were playing for their survival in this League of Nations. To avoid going down to League B, the Belgians had to avoid a defeat by more than two goals against Israel. But they only conceded ‘one’: the Red Devils lost 1-0.
The Red Devils wanted to put their heads back together this Sunday evening against Israel. Fighting for a play-off place, Belgium only had to avoid a heavy defeat to play in the play-offs. But the desire was clearly to win, after a series of disappointing meetings in recent months.
15 good minutes
The start of the match was favorable to our national team, which created the first opportunities of the match. Engels tried from a distance, while Lukebakio, fast on the right side, alerted the goalkeeper twice. But just as we felt the Red Devils were in control, the Israelis began to come out of the woods. In the 23rd minute, Dasa fired a superb shot that hit Casteels’ left post. What follows is a long period of scarcity ahead, with few opportunities. The “locals” (the match was played in Hungary) even created a few opportunities, notably through Solomon, before David hit the post in the 45th minute, before being flagged offside?
Last false note to note: the exit of Trossard at the half-hour mark, undoubtedly the victim of a physical problem and replaced by Bakayoko. Matte Smets also replaced Debast, also injured, for the second half. It was his first selection.
A fatal goal
The start of the second half was again favorable to the Israel team, although they started at a slow pace. We had to wait until the 57th minute to see Openda create an opportunity, on a perfect ball from Bakayoko, but the Leipzig striker’s delivery went wide. It was then Bakayoko, 10 minutes later, who alerted the goalkeeper to a vicious shot, deflected by a defender. And then… it’s curtains. Sambi Lokonga had tried from afar, but for the rest, it was almost radio silence. Only Bakayoko tried from a distance before the punishment arrived.
In the 86th minute, Shua took advantage of a bad pass from Smets to crucify Casteels with a cross shot to make it 1-0. Unable to react, the Red Devils bowed and ended their Nations League campaign with a defeat, even if the play-off place was assured.
And directly
Israel-Belgium: the match live
90’+4
End of the match
The Red Devils lose in Israel to end their Nations League campaign. They will be barrages, but with what performance to conclude… We will leave it there. Have a good evening everyone!
88′
LOVERS!
The Devils Rogues try to react, but Openda does not fit on a good cross from Lukebakio.
86′
BUT !
It’s not possible. Shua opens the score! Matte Smets attempts a suicidal pass in the axis of defense. Shua inherits the leather and crosses: it’s 1-0!
84′
BAKAYOKO!
Johan Bakayoko manages to escape at the edge of the area and strikes with power, but the goalkeeper is on top. On the other hand, he takes a yellow for an elbow on Jaber.
80′
It’s too slow
The Red Devils combine too slowly and fail to create danger. Sambi Lokonga has just sent the ball into the stands with a long shot.
73′
New changes
Peretz and Dasa come out on the Israeli side, mounted by Shua and Haziza. Loïs Openda took a yellow, in the meantime, for a bad sole.
67′
THE OPPORTUNITY!
This is the first huge Belgian opportunity in this second period! Lukebakio gives Bakayoko in the axis of the rectangle, he hits and the blocked ball is stopped. Vermeeren is replaced by Sambi Lokonga.
60′
Changes
Israel tries two changes, Gendelman replaces Abu Fani and David is replaced by Seba.
57′
LOVERS!
Bakayoko gives a superb through ball, in the air, towards Openda. The Leipzig scorer controls, waits a bit and then hits the side net.
54′
Harmless Red Devils
The start of the second period is largely favorable to Israel. They create the best opportunities…
49′
The Red Devils usbiss
Another loss of ball in the middle of the game and the Israelis play well. Abu Fani manages to shoot from the entrance to the rectangle and pushes Casteels to intervene.
45′
We’re going back
The meeting has just resumed. Matte Smets replaced Debast, who was injured at the end of the first period.
45’+3
It’s the break
End of a very strange first period. The Red Devils started well, but they were saved by Casteels and the post. Without this, the Belgians would be led. See you in 15 minutes.
45’+1
ENCORE !
Another pole for Israel! This time, it’s the bar, with a powerful strike from David! He was finally flagged offside…
37′
Change
Leandro Trossard was hurt. Bakayoko replaces him. In the action that follows, Casteels makes a brilliant save on a well-crossed shot to the left of the goal! Behind, Engels tries from afar and crosses a little too much.
35′
Another opportunity
The Israelis are dangerous, on a corner given on the right side, the ball arrives in the middle of the surface and the first intention recovery pushes Casteels to intervene!
30′
Jaune
Castagne takes a yellow for an anti-play fault, but useful. The Belgians have been suffering a little more for a few minutes.
23′
THE POST!
The Devils came close to being corrected! On a shot from the right of the rectangle, the ball rockets and flies towards Casteels’ left post! What an opportunity!
20′
Lukebakio, again
The winger attempts a vicious cross from a free kick on the right side. The goalkeeper frees himself.
17′
TROSSARD!
Great action from the Arsenal player. He finds an angle to shoot from the right of the area and Peretz catches it well.
14′
Lukebakio!
After a Belgian loss of ball in defense, the Israelis were unable to make the difference. On the counter, the ball arrives at Lukebakio who tries to curl it from the right of the area and sends it just wide.
9′
First big opportunity
Leandro Trossard tries his luck with a free kick from the left, just outside the area. The ball goes well but Peretz manages to push it aside. Belgium is pushing at the moment.
5′
First shipment
Arne Engels is the first to try his luck, from a distance, but his shot goes over.
3′
Calm to start
The meeting starts calmly. Belgium plays, in the offensive phase, with a 3-man defense. Lukebakio and Castagne are then pistons in this situation.
0′
It’s gone
The meeting has just started! Good match everyone!
20h18
A 6 out of 6?
The Red Devils will try to take three points as they did at the beginning of September against this Israeli team. We’re retracing the thread of this meeting.
20h03
The latest information
This match against Israel is not without stakes, quite the contrary. Belgium must validate its place in the Nations League play-off. We do the overview with Emiliano.
7:48 p.m.
The composition of Israel
The Israeli composition is also very different from that which we experienced in September. Dasa arrives in defense, while Dor Peretz takes his place in the middle of the game. Jaber and Davis are also aligned in the offensive zone.
19h33
The lineup of the Red Devils!
Here is the eleven of the Red Devils, with a shower of changes and adaptations after the numerous packages recorded since the defeat against Italy. Al-Dakhil starts in the center of defense, while Debast moves to the right. Engels is joined by Mangala, who replaces Onena. Trossard and Lukebakio will accompany Openda to try to make the difference up front.
19h20
Good evening everyone !
Good evening everyone and welcome to this live duel between Israel and our Red Devils. A mission for the national team: secure third place in the group and thus qualify for the League A play-offs.
The compositions
Israel: To. Peretz, Dasa, Nachmias, Goldberg, Shlomo, Do. Peretz, Solomon, Jaber, Abu Fani, Gloukh, David
Belgium: Casteels, Castagne, Faes, Al-Dekhil, Debast, Mangala, Engels, Trossard, Lukebakio, Openda
The pre-match
The first leg saw the Belgians win 3-1 over Israel. A defeat by more than two goals would condemn Belgium to relegation. A final game which will see Timothy Castagne be captain and for which Domenico Tedesco will have to transform his typical team after the formalization of five packages in its core: Amadou Onana, Romelu Lukaku, Maxim De Cuyper, Arthur Theate and Roméo Lavia.
At the same time, Norman Bassette was called up for the first time by the Devils to compensate for the absences in the offensive sector. “I chose him to avoid drawing more on the Espoirs selection”confided the coach at a press conference on Saturday. After the defeat against Italy on Thursday at the King Baudouin stadium (0-1) and the sharing of Israel in France (0-0), Belgium finds itself with its back against the wall with four points in this group A while their opponents of the day have one unit.
Tedesco admitted that he remained positive before this meeting: “I know what I’m doing and I don’t doubt anyone. There is a lot of potential in this selection”. “It’s difficult, but it’s a challenge that I want to take on. This is how I grew up, this is how I was educated. I must not run away from complicated situations, and I I don’t want to.” The third in the group will indeed play play-offs next spring to remain in League A against a second in the group from League B. The team which finishes in fourth place in the group is automatically relegated to League B.
Red Devils Nations League
