The Golden Generation of Belgium is again short of world cup

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – The golden generation of Belgium missed a big tournament.

With Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard in fantastic form, creating opportunities for themselves and Romelu Lukaku in front, Vincent Kompany again at the heart of the defense and Thibaut Courtois in front the net, these Red Devils have accumulated more goals than any other team in the World Cup. In five matches, they seemed finally able to keep their promise

but with their King Philippe who was watching from the stands, there would be no coronation.

After reaching the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time since In 1986, the team of Roberto Martinez sank 1-0 against France on Tuesday at St Petersburg stadium on a Samuel Umtiti's head following a corner.

"Damn, that's all I can say" Kompany

Four years ago, a Belgian team made up of several of the same stars sank 1-0 to the # 39 Argentina in the quarterfinals of the World Cup and was shocked 3-1 by Wales in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. During the first 30 minutes in St. Petersburg, this team looked different, creating opportunities and counter-attacking.

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

But the powerful Belgian attack gradually faded as France's solid defense gave Belgium its first shutout.

First World Cup, Belgium will return to Saint Petersburg on Saturday, will play the match for third place and will wonder if the window of the championship was closed.

Beaten players from Belgium did not want to talk about the end of an era. with stars like De Bruyne, 27, Courtois, 26, and Lukaku, 25, in the team and many more, coming in the ranks of the young.

"Generations: Who speaks of generations?" Said De Bruyne, "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 available to other countries. What we have, it is a very good team who behaved very well.

The last time a Belgian team reached the World Cup, she lost 2-0 to Argentina in the 1986 tournament in Mexico. A pair of goals from Diego Maradona in the second half sank Belgium that day

Long considered a country less footballer than his neighbor the Netherlands – whose teams reached three World Cup finals and lost to all – Kompany, a 32-year-old injury-prone player who may have played in his last World Cup in Russia, believes that, despite defeat, the 2018 class has done a favor to his nation.

"Generations come and go," said Kompany. "For Belgian football, I think that in the long run, there will still be an opportunity to do well, allowing the country to be more ambitious and believe in its own talent. In the future, we have done something good for Belgian football again. "

Martinez did not speak of the end of an era, but he was already looking to the future after the match.

This 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 driving force and the ambition. "

Belgium was found Tuesday still clinging to the elusive ambition of reaching a first World Cup final.

-AP