Belgium have come far when it comes to the level of their national football team. After enduring twelve years and two World Cups’ worth of action at the grandest stage, the Red Devils find themselves back in the thick of the World Cup 2018 race.
The squad currently features what many consider to be the nation’s Golden Generation, and its players are currently finding success in the biggest clubs all over Europe. I think it’s not a stretch to say that they have a good shot at winning the entire dance and cradle the trophy all the way back to Brussels.
However, they are not the only stacked roster in the competition, and almost every single one of the World Cup 2018 teams are ready to bring the fight to them. The unpredictability of the World Cup could also hamper their chances at making the final game.
The question that must be asked now is this: Can the Red Devils actually win the World Cup?
Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Belgium always struggled to progress through the tournament ever since they joined in 1930. They always saw themselves either going out in the early stages of the tournament or missing the entire competition altogether.
Their fortunes changed in the 80s when the country saw the emergence of quality players that helped them make six consecutive World Cup tournaments. The 1986 squad saw the most success in the tournament. Enzo Scifo, Franky Vercauteren and Jan Ceulemans were among the central figures that helped them reach the semi-final.
The last World Cup Belgium qualified for before their 12-year World Cup drought was in 2002. The squad featured a lot of veteran players, with Marc Wilmots taking on the role of captain. While the Belgians did make it past the group stages, they faced eventual winners Brazil. They found themselves outclassed as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo outplayed them.
After 2002, questionable selections caused Belgium to miss out the next two World Cups. It was after 2006 that Michel Sablon, Belgium’s former technical director, started the change that revolutionised Belgian football.
Sablon transformed the Belgian youth system’s preferred formation and approaches to the game. He was vital in the creation of the fantastic players that don the Belgian flag on their chest. It definitely took them a while, but the sacrifices made were worth it: they are now considered to be one of the best in the world.
The Men Who Make Belgium Great
We now look at the players that will likely make a splash in the tournament.
First up is their two midfielder stars. Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne will be a nightmare for many of their opponents in Group E and whoever is unfortunate enough to face them in the knockout stages. Both men are exemplary players that terrorise the Premier League with their quality play.
Hazard has been a terror from the attacking position for Chelsea, be it up front or from the left wing. He scored 17 goals for the Blues in their unsuccessful 2017/18 season. He has proven himself to be so consistent that I consider him as a player to watch out for in the competition.
Kevin De Bruyne is also another player coaches will have to plan carefully for. The Manchester City midfielder has had a very successful season under Pep Guardiola, supplying 16 assists in a dominant and historic campaign for the Sky Blues. He is one of five City players named in the PFA’s Team of the Year.
There are also other terrifying players to take note of while opposing coaches have to contend with these two. Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens are goalscoring machines in the Premier League and Serie A and will definitely terrify opposing defences. Attackers have to contend with Thibaut Courtois in between the sticks. Standing in their way are players such as Vincent company, Jan Vertonghen, Yannick Carrasco, Toby Alderweireld, Marouane Fellaini and Moussa Dembele.
This team does look good on paper, but there’s one looming problem.
The Battle of Nerves
The talented core of the Golden Generation have already made their appearances in the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Euros and fell short. Many attacked their lack of a winning mentality, urging the Belgian FA to change managers from Wilmots, the captain of the 2002 squad, to former Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
Under Martinez, the Belgians have won 13 games and only lost one. The team also scores 2.31 goals per game under his tutelage, the highest ever in team history sans Louis Nicolay’s stint as caretaker in 1957.
Martinez understands that there are a lot of question marks surrounding his team when it comes to their mental fortitude, and he believes that this superb crop can handle the heavy expectations that come with a label as prestigious as the “golden generation”.
He believes that these lads have what it takes to win it all.
Said the Spaniard of his team: “They understand about being a team and being able to perform. That is my biggest intention: to allow what we all call in Belgium the ‘golden generation’ to enjoy the responsibility they are carrying.”
It is now up to the players whether they will validate his words or not in Russia.
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