The golden generation of Belgium is lacking

After reaching the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1986, the talented team of Roberto Martinez sank 1-0 against France on Tuesday at St Petersburg Stadium on a Samuel Umtiti's head in the second half.

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Four years ago, a Belgian team composed of several of the same stars sank 1-0 to Argentina in the quarterfinals of the World Cup and was shocked 3-1 by Wales in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. the first 30 minutes in St. Petersburg, this camp looked different, standing out against the odds and containing the counterattacks of France.

"We had more chances today, we had more control over the game," said Kompany. "We were not in control two years ago against Argentina."

But the powerful Belgian attack gradually faded as France's solid defense offered the first shutout of the tournament.

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In Moscow, for its first World Cup, Belgium will return to Saint Petersburg on Saturday, will play the match for third place and will wonder if the championship window is closed.

The defeated players did not want to talk about the end of a match. The era – not with stars like De Bruyne, 27, Courtois, 26 and Lukaku, 25, in the team and others who come into the ranks of youth.

"Generations: who speaks of the generations?" De Bruyne said. "We are a small country, we can be very happy and lucky that we can have the team we have, we do not have the resources, the infrastructure, the money that the other countries have.

The last time a Belgian team was so far away in the World Cup, she sank 2-0 to Argentina at the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

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Kompany, injured 32-year-old, who may have played his last World Cup in Russia, he believes that, despite the defeat, the 2018 clbad has done a favor to his nation.

"Generations come and go," said Kompany. "For Belgian football, I think that there will always be an opportunity to do well, this will allow the country to be more ambitious and believe in its own talents, so maybe for the sake of it. in the future, we will do something good for Belgian football. " 19659004] Martinez was not talking about the end of an era, but he was already looking into the future after the game.

"As it happens in any major tournament, you have to watch the younger generations and try to become stronger," he said. "From tournament to tournament, it's the motor and ambition. "

" Belgian football is bursting with young talent, I have my eyes riveted on the Euro 2020. "

AP