The Golden Generation crumbles. Belgium are out of the World Cup following a 0-0 draw with Croatia, who advance from second place in Group F.
In a chaotic week involving reported rifts within the squad and just about all the eyes of the footballing world on them, Belgium's performance was chaotic in all the wrong ways.
Roberto Martinez's side crashed out of Qatar 2022 having failed to make it out of the group stages following a lifeless draw with Croatia.
And while ahead of kick-off a draw was good enough to advance, they almost fell behind inside the first minute thanks to a swift kick-off routine involving Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic. In part, that told the story of the game; Croatia weren't sharp enough, but Belgium were even worse, and never looked like actually sustaining a consistent threat.
The tempo upped somewhat after the break, but considering Morocco were ahead against Canada, it wasn't anywhere near good enough. Romelu Lukaku coming off the bench to miss as many as four glorious opportunities – the first two of which were open nets – painted a dismal picture of Belgium's reality. With each one squandered, elimination looked more and more inevitable.
Eden Hazard being given a handful of minutes in the dying embers was truly the last roll of the dice, but was of course not enough to get the Red Devils – currently second in FIFA's world rankings – over the line and into the World Cup knockout stages.
GOALruns through the winners, losers, and player ratings on an admittedly dark hour in Belgium's football history.
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Morocco:
While Croatia and Belgium played out to a bore draw, Morocco pounced on a fragile Canada and stole a march atop of Group F for their efforts.
With all the eyes on Martinez's men and whether they would finally kick into gear, the pressure was still on Morocco, who were coming up against a side who have proven they can hurt their opponents despite already having been eliminated.
But Morocco weren't shaken by the task or the occasion and fired in an early goal, setting up their stall well and building a platform to work on. Indeed, they added a second and held on four a 2-1 win, securing first place in the group in the process.
Thibaut Courtois:
He's really good, isn't he?
With Belgium's ageing back line not quite as watertight as it once was, and his side chasing the game in search of victory, Thibaut Courtois went from scratching his head for 45 minutes to suddenly needing to keep Belgium in the game.
He produced a stunning trio of saves early in the second half, making them all look far more routine then they actually would've been, to keep the scores level and never looked flustered.
On another poor night for the Red Devils, the Real Madrid stopper can hold his head high.
Pep Guardiola:
The Manchester City boss would've been sat underneath his widescreen TV licking his lips.
Not because he's a particularly big fan of Croatian football, but because his prized asset Kevin De Bruyne is heading home at the earliest convenience.
We're certain he's already thinking about how he'll greet him at the training ground. Throw an arm around him, join in with the belittling of the Belgium squad and fuel him with vengeance in time for the return of Premier League football on Boxing Day.
By the time the domestic season restarts, De Bruyne should be close to full fitness, raring to go once again. That's dangerous.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers
VAR:
It's a conversation that we all have, every single week, but it needs to happen. VAR was at it again.
Whether or not the penalty awarded to Croatia in the 15th minute was soft or not, there's a more important question to be asked – why is the referee being sent over to the monitor to check for offside?
Not only that, but Anthony Taylor was only sent over there after Luka Modric had already got himself ready to take the spot kick. It's endlessly confusing and becomes more frustrating with every questionable decision.
Streamline the technology or scrap it altogether.
Belgium's 'Golden Generation':
Sometimes you have to say goodbye to those you love the most, even if it seems an absurd decision.
Belgium moving on from their 'Golden Generation', though, becomes less absurd and more necessary every time you watch them. In what was a laboured game all round, it was the old guard who stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Dries Mertens was hooked at half-time, De Bruyne looked lost without the help of others in midfield, Eden Hazard didn't even get a chance from the start, and the less said about the back line, the better.
In order for Belgium to move forward, they need to sweep this golden generation discourse under the carpet, put it to the back of their minds and start afresh with the younger talent within the squad, because it's absolutely there.
Romelu Lukaku:
The whole world is routing for you, Rom. They really are. But as time goes on, it gets harder and harder to believe that you're the top-level striker you think you are.
Let's get the excuse out of the way first; the 29-year-old has been injured for the bulk of the season and is obviously not match sharp.
Having said that, it's hard to blame match sharpness on him missing glorious chances to score. Four, Romelu. ? Unfortunately, though, it's not a new thing to see Lukaku lack a clinical edge in front of goal, certainly in moments where it matters and the opposition is tough. And when he missed the first two, you just knew he wasn't going to make the net bulge.
Simply put, Belgium needed a hero. These are the moments you live and die by. Unfortunately for him, Belgium's World Cup campaign received a final nail in its coffin as a result of him missing an open net – twice – and then spurning yet more presentable opportunities.
Getty ImagesBelgium player ratings: Defence
Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Did well to bat away an effort from Mateo Kovacic early on in the second half and was down low shortly after to stop an effort from Marcelo Brozovic. After an untroubled first half, the towering stopper showed his class in the second.
Leander Dendoncker (7/10):
Key in keeping Ivan Perisic quiet when he tried to burst inside. Played in a brilliant, low cross from the touchline back to the penalty spot for Mertens in the first half which deserved an assist.
Toby Alderweireld (6/10):
Seemed to have Croatia troubled with his long-range passes whenever he used them. Ought to have tried the long ball more often.
Jan Vertonghen (6/10):
No calamities, but wasn't able to speed up the game or press high up the pitch and make it more difficult for Croatia to play.
Getty ImagesMidfield
Thomas Meunier (4/10):
Offered nothing in terms of attacking thrust. Helped out his defenders, but needed to do more than that on a night where Belgium needed a win. Really underwhelming.
Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):
Had to spend too much time in a defensive setting helping out his colleagues, which rendered him rather useless for the most part unless Belgium had the chance for a quick counter-attack. Needed an extra body in midfield to free up the magician.
Axel Witsel (5/10):
Did his job out of possession competently, but needed to offer more in terms of getting on the ball and ensuring Belgium stayed in control.
Timothy Castagne (3/10):
A similar story to Meunier, but perhaps more disappointing considering we know what Castagne is capable of in an attacking sense.