Belgium's golden generation fails again

[tiger76]

This so called golden generation hasn't yet lived up to it's star billing, quarter-finalists in 2016, and went out to Wales, semi-finalists in 2018 before going out to France, and now quarter-finalists again before losing to Italy.

Pressure on Martinez or not? well you'd have to say with that amount of talent at his disposal last 8 isn't really good enough, and yet another tournament has passed them by, possibly the Qatar WC will be their one last shot at finally claiming a major tournament victory before the majority of this squad will be over the hill age wise.

[Vegas Claret]

I thought Martinez had already decided to leave ? End of contract possibly

[Winstonswhite]

Came up against a very good Italian side tonight.

It’s tough to win any tournament no matter who your players are. As we know too well.

[KRBFC]

Knockout football anything can happen really, most of the time the best side doesn't win the tournament. I don't really consider knockout football as failure if you don't win, it's just how the cookie crumbles.

[tim_noone]

This so called golden generation hasn't yet lived up to it's star billing, quarter-finalists in 2016, and went out to Wales, semi-finalists in 2018 before going out to France, and now quarter-finalists again before losing to Italy.

Pressure on Martinez or not? well you'd have to say with that amount of talent at his disposal last 8 isn't really good enough, and yet another tournament has passed them by, possibly the Qatar WC will be their one last shot at finally claiming a major tournament victory before the majority of this squad will be over the hill age wise.

Beaten by the potential winners....they and Italy played a fantastic game of football...

[boatshed bill]

Beaten by the potential winners....they and Italy played a fantastic game of football...

If it wasn't for Italy's constant rolling around on the deck I'd agree, Tim.
How they only came up with 5 mins added time was unbelievable (I know the ref added a bit), but the ball was dead nearly as long as it was in play.

[tim_noone]

If it wasn't for Italy's constant rolling around on the deck I'd agree, Tim.
How they only came up with 5 mins added time was unbelievable (I know the ref added a bit), but the ball was dead nearly as long as it was in play.

Nonetheless a great game of football.

[bfcjg]

Some fantastic skill on show that said more yellows cards should have been shown for descent which may well have curtailed the latter stages gamesmanship.

[boatshed bill]

Early on I thought the pace of the game was brilliant.
If we get so far as to play Italy we would need to slow the game down, something Belgium failed to do.
Going toe to toe did for them in the end.

[elwaclaret]

I thought Martinez had already decided to leave ? End of contract possibly

Yes he announced it quite a while ago, he was expected to be going back to Everton, some say was expecting to go back too. Why I was a little surprised right to the last Benitez got it.

[Bin Ont Turf]

They'll never win owt will Belgium. They aren't even a proper nation never mind a proper football team.

[Quickenthetempo]

Early on I thought the pace of the game was brilliant.
If we get so far as to play Italy we would need to slow the game down, something Belgium failed to do.
Going toe to toe did for them in the end.

The waistcoat one will want to slow it down, but I would rather our pacy strikers ran the ageing Italian defence ragged.

[Rowls]

They make great chips though.

[chekhov]

Some fantastic skill on show that said more yellows cards should have been shown for descent.

You mean for the way the Italian players kept falling over?

[elwaclaret]

The waistcoat one will want to slow it down, but I would rather our pacy strikers ran the ageing Italian defence ragged.

Unfortunately, I expect Italy will go about England just like Scotland did, with extra niggle. The bottom line is and always was can we deal with them using every trick to upset England. I have my doubts. We can beat them if we don’t get bullied and take the lead.

[willsclarets]

Let's beat Ukraine first!

[yTib]

Unfortunately, I expect Italy will go about England just like Scotland did, with extra niggle. The bottom line is and always was can we deal with them using every trick to upset England. I have my doubts. We can beat them if we don’t get bullied and take the lead.

steady on we haven't beaten ukraine yet.

[elwaclaret]

steady on we haven't beaten ukraine yet.

Lol Quite right it is not a given.

[Steve1956]

Mmmm.. not so golden then eh?

[tim_noone]

Early on I thought the pace of the game was brilliant.
If we get so far as to play Italy we would need to slow the game down, something Belgium failed to do.
Going toe to toe did for them in the end.

Come on Bill that's not very sportsman like slowing the game down.....Like Italy

[Quickenthetempo]

Unfortunately, I expect Italy will go about England just like Scotland did, with extra niggle. The bottom line is and always was can we deal with them using every trick to upset England. I have my doubts. We can beat them if we don’t get bullied and take the lead.

I don't think Italy will cope against Spain and chasing shadows. They have put a lot into this tournament and put a show on. But it must be energy sapping.

England haven't got put of 2nd gear yet and have plenty in reserve.

[Devils_Advocate]

Not winning a major international tournament isnt failing. This Belgium team over the last 7 years have done well but coming second in the last World cup as well as reaching the last 8 in the last 4 inter national tournaments is not anywhere near failure for Belgium

Have a look at what Belgium did between 2002 - 2014 and dont tell me this recent Belgium team hasnt done brilliant

Sometimes it amazes me how genuine football fans can be so simplistic and limited in their ability to think about football and its intricacies beyond tabloid level thinking.

I mean who looks at Belgium being beaten in a one off game by what looks like the best team in Europe and concludes they ae a failure

[tim_noone]

Not winning a major international tournament isnt failing. This Belgium team over the last 7 years have done well but coming second in the last World cup as well as reaching the last 8 in the last 4 inter national tournaments is not anywhere near failure for Belgium

Have a look at what Belgium did between 2002 - 2014 and dont tell me this recent Belgium team hasnt done brilliant

Sometimes it amazes me how genuine football fans can be so simplistic and limited in their ability to think about football and its intricacies beyond tabloid level thinking.

I mean who looks at Belgium being beaten in a one off game by what looks like the best team in Europe and concludes they ae a failure

Tiger?

[Jakubclaret]

I suggest some of us need to pipe down & see what happens tomorrow regarding our game.

[Devils_Advocate]

Tiger?

Should stick to quizzes

[yTib]

golden generation.

but seriously, who comes up with this crap?

whether it's england, belgium or the magical kingdom of atlantis it is just a media buzz term.

[Jakubclaret]

golden generation.

but seriously, who comes up with this crap?

whether it's england, belgium or the magical kingdom of atlantis it is just a media buzz term.

Essentially it is, it’s associated with a crop of youngish players with potential who are expected to go beyond/exceeding expectation, whether that realistically happens is another question.

[tim_noone]

Should stick to quizzes

[Stayingup]

This so called golden generation hasn't yet lived up to it's star billing, quarter-finalists in 2016, and went out to Wales, semi-finalists in 2018 before going out to France, and now quarter-finalists again before losing to Italy.

Pressure on Martinez or not? well you'd have to say with that amount of talent at his disposal last 8 isn't really good enough, and yet another tournament has passed them by, possibly the Qatar WC will be their one last shot at finally claiming a major tournament victory before the majority of this squad will be over the hill age wise.

Had they been in our side of the groupings they might well have progressed. they cme up against, shall we say, a very italian team. Brilliant players, well organized and part actors. They just know how to do it.

[JohnMac]

The UK press attached this label to them. They have lost just 5 games from 61 under Martinez, hardly a failure.

Don't forget we live in a Country where one of the 'Big Six' is supposedly Tottenham Hotspur!

[diamondpocket]

Belgium's Achilles heel is their defence and they played poorly last night, can't let Insigne travel with the ball like that and then not close him down as he neared the box. For the rest of the night 3 of them couldn't cope with the menace and pressure of Immobile, who at times is just a headless chicken. Pretty poor from Belgium yesterday. De Bruyne should never have played and admitted he wasn't fit. Hazard was out. Pretty desperate if you're bringing on Chadli. Don't see this great team in Belgium really apart from Lukaku & De Bruyne. Overall they're a decent side but were never a real candidate to win it.

[Pstotto]

"Belgian Chocolates?"

"Maltesers."

[Belgianclaret]

Oi oi, show a bit of respect to us Belgian clarets please

Truth is we didn't perform well in these championships, we are dependant on three key players (De Bruyne, Hazard and Witsel) and all of them suffered recent injuries and were not up to full speed.

Italy played a courageous game and deserved to win on the night, although Lukaku missed two guilt edged chances he should have buried.

I enjoyed the way the Italians played, besides the last 15 minutes or so when they returned to form and started falling all over the place.

We're in for some surgery now, and I'm not convinced Martinez is the right man to do so. Still plenty of talent left to have another go at the next WC though.

Let's see now whether England's new golden generation can seize an opportunity they are likely never to get again (home advantage and most favourable draw). Good luck !

[elwaclaret]

Oi oi, show a bit of respect to us Belgian clarets please

Truth is we didn't perform well in these championships, we are dependant on three key players (De Bruyne, Hazard and Witsel) and all of them suffered recent injuries and were not up to full speed.

Italy played a courageous game and deserved to win on the night, although Lukaku missed two guilt edged chances he should have buried.

I enjoyed the way the Italians played, besides the last 15 minutes or so when they returned to form and started falling all over the place.

We're in for some surgery now, and I'm not convinced Martinez is the right man to do so. Still plenty of talent left to have another go at the next WC though.

Let's see now whether England's new golden generation can seize an opportunity they are likely never to get again (home advantage and most favourable draw). Good luck !

Pretty sure Martinez’s contract has ends with the tournament. I have Ben working with a bloke who was going to visit the Belgium team hotel until lockdown. He used to work with Martinez at Everton, but was told this would be his final competition with them.

[Belgianclaret]

Probably a good time for both parties

[kentonclaret]

golden generation.

but seriously, who comes up with this crap?

whether it's england, belgium or the magical kingdom of atlantis it is just a media buzz term.

Exactly that.

Southgate is repeatedly quoted in the national media using the phrase "This Is Our Time", which essentially means the same thing in that a talented group of players capable of winning something doesn't come around that often. He has just avoided tagging the players as the "golden generation".