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Outsiders at the start of the World Cup, the Red Devils quickly joined the train favorites. Finally, France broke the dream of our national team in the semifinals. The goal of Samuel Umtiti cooled a whole country. The header of the central defender of the Blues and Barça has closed the doors of the exploit.
The time is already in the balance sheet and lessons to be learned from this World Cup that will remain etched in the history of our football.
1. Roberto Martinez, the tactician
Some observers have expressed doubts about the famous tactical flexibility that the Catalan coach has evoked since his arrival at the head of the national team Belgian in August 2016.
His first master stroke, he made it against Japan in the round of 16. Led 0-2 at the hour of play, Belgium seems at the edge of the abyss. Roberto Martinez remains calm on the sidelines and at the moment when he is expected to make an attacker go up with Michy Batshuayi he surprises by launching into the fight Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli . A paying and winning choice. Both players will score and send Belgium in quarters as in 2014.
And here, the obstacle is Brazil and its 5 stars! Not impressed at all, our federal coach innovates with a game animation that simply puts the Seleçao to the mat. With notably Romelu Lukaku boosting on a flank and Kevin De Bruyne in an offensive and central role, the Devils will dazzle the planet football. The qualification for the half is acquired with the way.
The Catalan role that Spain discovered in this Russian World Cup was not limited to tactical choices. He managed to create a group where all the players felt concerned. Everyone had a chance, like Adnan Januzaj who scored a beautiful goal against England. Adnan Januzaj who was the surprise of the leader in the selection of 23!
Roberto Martinez knew how to form a homogeneous, solidary and coherent group. After being the target of much criticism, the coach of Belgium responded in the most beautiful way: on the field by obtaining exceptional results with, at the end, a third historic place in World Cup with Belgium.
2. The future badured …
Obviously, at the end of this World Cup, some players might be tempted to end their international career. We think of Vincent Kompany Thomas Vermaelen Mousa Dembélé or Marouane Fellaini .
But talent, there are still some. Hazard De Bruyne Lukaku and Courtois are already " bosses " and their role will not change. On the defensive side, a player like Dedryck Boyata was revealed in this World Cup in Russia, to the point that some would have seen him continue after the group phase in the base eleven. And this, despite the return of Vince The Prince .
And then, players like Yuri Tielemans Thorgan Hazard and even Adnan Januzaj (which was the second World) gained experience.
For two years, this group will also continue to grow under the orders of Roberto Martinez. In September, elements like Timothy Castagne or Dennis Praet might well make their appearance in the band, but even if some players retire, there should not be a revolution in the next months.
The basics (and more) are there for the Euro 2020 and even the World Cup 2022.
However, one of the great challenges of the breeder will inevitably be to find alternatives to occupy the flanks. It was again seen in the semi-finals against France, the absence of Thomas Meunier suspended, was extremely detrimental
3. The confirmation Thibaut Courtois
Belgium has always been a land of guardians. Thibaut Courtois is no exception to the rule. He is today one of the best gatekeepers on the planet.
In Russia, the great Thibaut has done wonders and his match against Brazil will remain forever a reference. It is, and this is obviously not a surprise, a guarantee for the future of our national team.
4. Romelu Lukaku silenced the bad language
Top scorer in the history of Belgian football (40 goals), Romelu Lukaku took a new dimension in this World Cup. He once again panicked the meters.
Romelu Lukaku is now co-holder of the record for the number of goals in the World Cup finals for a Belgian player. The Manchester United striker has thus joined … Marc Wilmots . In addition to four goals in this World Cup in Russia, he found the net against the United States in Brazil in 2014.
By the way, Big Rom became the top Belgian scorer in a major tournament (World Cup + Euro). With 7 goals (1 at World Cup 2014, 2 at Euro 2016 and 4 at World Cup 2018), he pbaded Jan Ceulemans (6 goals between Euro 1980, Euro 1984, World Cup 1986 and the 1990 World Cup)
Beyond the goals, he demonstrated that he was also a leader in the group. At 25, he shows exceptional maturity. In Russia, it was he who spoke in the middle of the group before each meeting. And then, impossible not to emphasize his preponderant role in the historic victory against Brazil. He did not score against Auriverde but he gave KDB a goal and above all displayed incredible will and determination in an unusual position (on the flank). His performance against the French team is probably the least successful of all and it came out a little cooked and disappointed after an hour of play against England in the small final.
That we love or that Romelu Lukaku is a key element for the future of our national team
5. Renewed popularity of the public
Since the failed return of the Red Devils after the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the relationship between the national team and its audience has had its ups and downs. The elimination against Wales two years ago in the quarterfinals of the Euro in France was a huge disappointment as the course seemed all drawn towards the final of the tournament.
This World Cup in Russia has rekindled the flame more than ever. The fans have experienced moments of intense emotions whether against Japan, Brazil or France. The record audiences and the thousands of fans in front of the giant screens installed all over the country bear witness to this renewed enthusiasm. The Devils will need this support for the next challenges that await them in the coming months and years!
The Golden Generation 2018 did better than Mexico 86 and it mostly wrote its story, the one that will be told more late to our children or grandchildren!
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