Belgium Complete Dramatic Comeback, Defeat Japan 3-2 at 2018 World Cup
Jul 2, 2018
Belgium's midfielder Marouane Fellaini celebrates after scoring during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Belgium and Japan at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on July 2, 2018. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
Belgium secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 3-2 win over Japan on Monday at the Rostov Arena in Russia.
Goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui had put Japan ahead 2-0, but Belgium hit back through Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini before Nacer Chadli won it in the 94th minute.
Belgium Exposed as Overrated World Cup Darlings
Belgium were expected to make light work of Japan but instead found themselves on the brink of a huge shock after going 2-0 down after 52 minutes.
Japan got their tactics spot-on and deservedly took the lead after defending well, pressing Belgium and taking their chances when they came.
In contrast Belgium flattered to deceive and created little initially despite the presence of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in the starting lineup.
Goal's Carlo Garganese offered his view on De Bruyne:
Vertonghen was guilty of some sloppy defending for Japan's opener, and he was a little fortunate to pull one back with a header that looped over goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Football writer Tom Williams offered his view of the goal:
If Vertonghen meant that, it was one of the greatest headers of all time. (I suspect he probably didn't.)
The goal gave Belgium momentum, and Roberto Martinez's substitutes, Chadli and Fellaini, also had an impact as Belgium were more direct in the closing stages.
Fellaini headed home Hazard's cross off a corner, and as Japan tired, the Red Devils began to dominate. A late De Bruyne surge found Thomas Meunier, whose cross was tapped home by Chadli to seal the win.
It completed the comeback for Belgium but will do little to dismiss their reputation of underachievers. Martinez has one of the strongest squads in the tournament to choose from, but the feeling remains that he is not getting the best out of his players.
Neymar, Brazil Will Love Their Chances to Reach Semi-finals
Belgium will go on to face Brazil for a place in the semi-finals, and Neymar's team will have enjoyed watching Belgium toil against Japan.
The Selecao had earlier beaten Mexico 2-0, with Neymar scoring and assisting as he gets closer to full match fitness. He only recently returned to action after a lengthy injury lay-off before the World Cup.
Oliver Kay attheTimesoffered his view of the quarter-final:
Oh my god. Brilliant comeback from Belgium. What a sickener for Japan #bel#jpn 3-2. Belgium might not get away with such sloppiness against Brazil in QF
Belgium will need to sharpen up defensively as Brazil have considerable options in attack with Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino.
The Selecao may also look to exploit Yannick Carrasco, who has been playing at left wing-back for Belgium.
Dermot Corrigan at ESPN FC shared his view of the winger as a defender:
Carrasco out of his misery - would love to hear Simeone's leaked whats-apps on idea of playing him at left wing-back.
Tite's side are favourites to lift the World Cup, and on evidence, they have little to fear from a flawed Belgium team who are less than the sum of their parts.
Japan's Display Cements World Cup as One of History's Greatest
The 2018 World Cup has already seen its fair share of upsets, with defending champions Germany having been dumped out in the group stages and Spain shocked by Russia in the last 16.
Japan made it to the knockout phase courtesy of having a better disciplinary record than Senegal and were widely expected to be comfortably beaten by Belgium's star-studded squad.
However, they took a shock lead through Haraguchi after 48 minutes and managed to double that lead through Inui just four minutes later.
Belgium looked set for a big upset but managed to respond and level it up through headers from Vertonghen and Fellaini.
Football writers were quick to share their thoughts on the tournament:
There was still time for more drama as a late counter-attack deep into stoppage time saw Chadli win it with the last kick of the match.
The game is the latest chapter in one of the most unpredictable World Cups in history and one that has provided huge entertainment, goals and unexpected results.
The 2018 World Cup is widely regarded as being one of the most open tournaments for some time. Brazil are the favourites but all of the teams left in the competition will harbour hopes of winning, and it would be little surprise if there were a few more shocks along the way.
What's Next
Belgium will take on Brazil on Friday at the Kazan Arena. Japan's next game is an international friendly against Costa Rica in September.
Romelu Lukaku Fully Recovered from Ankle Injury, Roberto Martinez Says
Jun 29, 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 23: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Belgium and Tunisia at Spartak Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Romelu Lukaku is fully fit again after missing Thursday's FIFA World Cup clash with England.
With the Red Devils already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition in Russia, Martinez made a number of changes to his side against the Three Lions. Before the match, it was noted Lukaku would not be involved because of an ankle problem, per BBC Sport.
But on Friday, Martinez said the team's star striker was ready to go again:
Belgium were able to edge past England without Lukaku, as Adnan Januzaj's stunning goal gave them a 1-0 win to seal top spot in Group G.
It means Lukaku will most likely be back in the side when Belgium take on Japan in the round of 16 on Monday. The Red Devils have won all three of their games in Russia so far.
In the first two matches, Lukaku was vital for Belgium, as he netted a brace in each game against Panama and then Tunisia.
Kristof Terreur ofHet Laatste Nieuws noted the goals continued an excellent run of form for Lukaku in national team colours:
Both are not always fully appreciated in (parts of) their own country, but...
Romelu Lukaku in his last 20 games for #bel: ⚽️ 23 goals 🅰️ 4 assists
Eden Hazard in his last 20 games for #bel: ⚽️ 11 goals 🅰️ 11 assists
The striker headed to the World Cup on the back of his debut season with Manchester United. The 25-year-old netted 16 times in the Premier League in 2017-18 following his £75 million switch from Everton.
Having shone against the likes of Panama and Tunisia, Martinez will now be desperate for Lukaku to come good in the big games for Belgium. If he is fully fit, you don't envy the job of the Japanese defenders on Monday.
Romelu Lukaku Likely to Miss 2018 World Cup Match vs. England with Ankle Injury
Jun 27, 2018
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 23: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Belgium and Tunisia at Spartak Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku will likely miss Belgium's Group G decider against England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Thursday due to an ankle injury.
The Red Devils frontman has scored four times in his two World Cup outings thus far but suffered a knock in the 5-2 win over Tunisia and isn't likely to be risked, according to manager Roberto Martinez, per Sky Sports:
"He had a really difficult knock against Tunisia and probably Thursday is one day too early, but I don't think it is going to take any longer than that.
"We had very good news on the scan. There was no further damage, but it is still uncomfortable.
"I don't think he will be training on Wednesday, and I think we will make a final assessment tonight in order for him to be involved or not. At the moment, it is still in [the] recovery phase."
Group G's joint-leaders have both beaten Tunisia and Panama already and are level on goals scored and goals conceded, making Thursday's clash of utmost importance in their bid to top the pool.
The United forward has been responsible for half of Belgium's eight goals so far in Russia, and his absence is particularly poorly timed after Het Laatste Nieuws underlined his leadership presence (h/t Sport Witness):
Romelu Lukaku’s increasing role as a leader recognized by Belgian newspaper HLN today. pic.twitter.com/osEDl3s2vi
The news is sure to be well-received in the England camp, although there have been suggestions the runners-up finishers in Group G will be the ones with an easier route to the latter stages of the World Cup.
His absence also comes as the World Cup's leading scorer, Harry Kane, has been in firing form for manager Gareth Southgate in Russia, and the Press Association previewed what could have been a mighty striker battle:
Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi now looks the most likely option to replace Lukaku if Martinez opts to pick a like-for-like replacement, while Dries Mertens has at times starred in a supporting striker role for Napoli.
Belgium's chances of beating England to the top of Group G will be dented as a result of Lukaku's injury, although they can look forward to his swift return as their place in the round of 16 is already cemented.
Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard Braces Inspire Belgium Past Tunisia at World Cup
Jun 23, 2018
Belgium's forward Eden Hazard celebrates his second goal with Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Tunisia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 23, 2018. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard turned on the style for Belgium on Saturday, as they each bagged braces in an emphatic 5-2 win over Tunisia at the FIFA World Cup.
A Hazard penalty and a goal from Lukaku gave Belgium a quickfire 2-0 lead, although they were pegged back by a Dylan Bronn header for Tunisia. However, Lukaku restored the two-goal advantage on the stroke of half time with a fine finish, putting him level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Boot.
After the break Hazard made the game safe with his second of the day. With the clock ticking down, Michy Batshuayi added more gloss to the scoreline with Belgium's fifth. Tunisia skipper Wahbi Khazri scored a late consolation for his side.
Belgium now top Group G on six points. England have the chance to move level with the Red Devils on Sunday, when they face minnows Panama.
Ronaldo Still the Main Man, ButLukakuGetting Closer
Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku scores a goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Tunisia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 23, 2018. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOB
Ahead of this encounter, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was out on his own in the race for the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup. By half-time,Lukakuwas level with him.
After a brace against Panama in the opening game, the Manchester United man continued where he left off. He finished well with his left foot after being played in in the 16th minute, before giving his team breathing room on the stroke of half-time with adinkedright-footed effort:
Meanwhile, KristanHeneagepraised the dynamic forward's intelligent movement in a stunning first-half performance:
One thing I feel like we don't always talk about with Lukaku is how smart his running can be. His second goal there saw a really quick adjustment at the last minute to facilitate a chance that he finished so calmly.
With the likes of Hazard, Kevin DeBruyneand DriesMertenssupportingLukaku, the chances should flow regularly for him throughout the tournament.
The Belgium No. 9 has showcased the potency in front of goal to fire his nation far in the World Cup. In the knockout stages and the huge games, the challenge will be forLukakuto continue up this prolific form—something Ronaldo has done so well throughout his career.
World-Class Hazard Will Inspire Deep Belgium Run
TOPSHOT - Belgium's forward Eden Hazard celebrates his second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Tunisia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 23, 2018. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIA
Lukaku's assault on the Golden Boot will grab the headlines after this game, but the contribution of the imperious Hazard shouldn't be underestimated.
Against Panama, he started poorly and grew into the game. In this match, he was at full tilt from the off, winning the early penalty then calmly converting it. Early in the second half, he latched on to Toby Alderweireld's long pass, rounded the 'keeper and finished with aplomb.
As noted by Fox Sports' KeithCostigan, the manner in which Hazard andLukakulinked up bodes well for Belgium:
Love that Hazard attacks the space left by Lukaku. 2 each for them and a bit of a message being sent by Belgium here.
Up top, the Red Devils haveLukakuto stick the ball in the back of the net, and in midfield, DeBruynecontrols the tempo of matches. Hazard, as he did here, is the man who knits everything together.
It appears the Belgium captain is growing into the tournament. Should Hazard continue to improve, he'll take his nation a long way.
Defensive Cracks Will Ultimately Cost Belgium
While there was much to marvel at from an attacking perspective from Belgium, they did showcase weaknesses defensivelythat will have stronger nations rubbing their hands together.
After surging into a 2-0 lead, the Red Devils switched off immediately from a set piece, from whichBronnheaded home.
The big concern for Martinez's Belgium side has always been whether they can find the balance between defence and attack, something they've not had to do against two weak outfits so far.
While they were excellent here, they must shore up defensively if they are going to go all the way. Against stronger opponents, their attack will be better contained and the holes in their 3-4-3 setup better exploited.
What's next?
The four teams finish their group stage matches on Thursday, with Belgium and England meeting in what should be a showdown to see who tops the group.
Tunisia, meanwhile, at least have a chance to earn their first World Cup win since 1978; they meet Panama in their final contest. This is Los Canaleros' first appearance in the tournament.
Belgium vs. Tunisia: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info for World Cup 2018
Jun 22, 2018
TOPSHOT - Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku celebrates his second goal, his team's third, during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Panama at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 18, 2018. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
Group G leaders Belgium take on Tunisia in their second game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.
Roberto Martinez's side opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Panama, while Tunisia were beaten 2-1 by England thanks to Harry Kane's stoppage-time winner.
Here's a look at how you can watch the match, followed by team news and a preview.
Date: Saturday, June 23
Start Time: 3 p.m. local time/1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET
Belgium still have injury concerns in defence, although Thomas Vermaelen has returned to training and Vincent Kompany is close to a comeback. Dedryck Boyata is expected to continue against Tunisia, per journalist Kristof Terreur.
Tunisia have lost goalkeeper Mouez Hassen to injury after he damaged his shoulder in the defeat to England, per Goal's Michael Madyira. Farouk Ben Mustapha is expected to be his replacement.
Lukaku Leading The Way For Belgium
Belgium can take a big stride towards the last 16 with a win over Tunisia. The team found it tough going initially against Panama but eventually cruised to victory with three goals in the second half.
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku scored twice and is in prolific form at international level:
Belgium have a frightening attack with Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens also expected to start again, and they should cause the north African side all sorts of problems.
Martinez's men will want a good result against Tunisia as their final group game is against England which looks to be their toughest encounter.
Tunisia Face Another Tough Test
Tunisia looked set to pick up a point against England until Kane's late intervention, and another defeat will likely signal the end of their World Cup hopes.
Nabil Maaloul's side managed to frustrate the Three Lions for long spells during the game, but they will need to offer more of an attacking threat if they are to take anything off Belgium.
BBC Sport correspondent Richard Conway showed how Tunisia's loss was received back home:
Tunisia 1 - 2 England Reaction: Tunisian paper Esshafa called it a “loss that could have been avoided”, while Essabah says “Tunisia wastes precious draw with England in injury time” and criticises a game plan which saw “a shaky defence and an isolated forward.”
African teams have struggled at the World Cup so far, with Egypt and Morocco having already been eliminated while Nigeria also lost their opening game.
Beating a star-studded Belgium team looks a tough ask for Tunisia, who may well become the latest nation to see their World Cup dreams end on Saturday.
Romelu Lukaku Brace Leads Belgium Past Panama in 3-0 World Cup Win
Jun 18, 2018
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku celebrates after he scored his side's third goal during the group G match between Belgium and Panama at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Monday, June 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Belgium came through in their first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Monday, beating debutants Panama 3-0 in Group G.
Romelu Lukaku scored twice and Dries Mertens also got on the board as Belgium patiently broke down their opponents in a routine win.
The Europeans entered the tournament among the favourites for the title, as they sit third in the FIFA rankings. With England and Tunisia also in Group G, they're expected to comfortably qualify for the knockout stages.
Here are the main takeaways from the match.
Lukaku Emerges As Golden Boot Favourite with Clinical Performance
Manchester United ace Lukaku has been in sensational form for the national team of late, and he added another two goals to his tally.
As shared by ESPN Stats & Info, he's been remarkably consistent:
Romelu Lukaku scores again!
It's his 3rd career #WorldCup goal, and he now has 15 goals in his last 10 matches for #BEL.
With two goals already and elite passers all around him, the 25-year-old may well be the favourite for the Golden Boot race―especially considering he'll still face Tunisia and England's suspect defence.
For years, Belgium lacked a clinical, ace finisher who could make the difference in tight matches. While Panama are hardly elite competition, they did a fantastic job limiting Lukaku's touches, but he still came up big in the big moments.
The Red Devils can at times be complacent in front of goal, and in those moments, you need someone who can force the issue. They'll usually turn to Eden Hazard or Kevin De Bruyne, but in Lukaku, they may just have a third class player who can do just that in the knockout stages.
Belgium Must Find Intensity for Deep World Cup Run
Belgium have tremendous talent, and when things fall into place, they're capable of greatness. They play some of the best attacking football in all of Europe and can score in bunches, as evidenced by their record-breaking qualifying campaign.
But the Red Devils rarely play with high intensity for 90 minutes or even half that. Too often, they seem to almost lose interest, relying on their individual brilliance to beat opponents.
Sport Witness summed it up nicely:
Urgency, that's the word. Or rather, 'lack of urgency'. #BELPAN
Mertens' goal early in the second half didn't bring any changes, as Belgium sat back rather than look for a second goal. As a result, Panama started to find some chances, something that should never have happened.
Lukaku's two goals will overshadow the fact the Red Devils were lethargic at best for large stretches, but the latter point should be their main takeaway ahead of their second match.
Against a team like Los Canaleros, you might get away with complacency, but the favourites for the title will punish such a lack of urgency. Belgium need a shift in mentality ahead of the knockout stages, or their tournament could be a short one.
Panama Lack Tools Needed for Impact at 1st World Cup
The Panamanians were never expected to make life hard on the Belgians, and while they admirably held out in the first half, Mertens' wonder strike broke their resistance.
Los Canaleros barely crossed the midfield line before the opener, and while they had their chances afterwards, an upset always seemed unlikely.
Panama's run to the World Cup was a wonderful story, but they lack the sheer talent most teams in the tournament possess. Expect them to entertain against England and Tunisia, but a win seems highly unlikely.
Martinez's Tactics Remain Questionable
Roberto Martinez's 3-4-3 formation is an odd fit, and against Los Canaleros, its weaknesses were once again on full display. Thomas Meunier and Yannick Carrasco weren't at their best, and without those two winning battles out wide, there was far too much congestion in front of goal.
In the centre of the park, De Bruyne plays alongside the underrated Axel Witsel, but the former is too often a long way from goal, limiting his creativity around the box. As a result, the Red Devils didn't create enough initially:
Space opened up once they scored, and in transition, the 3-4-3 system is a wonderful sight, with Mertens and Hazard cutting inside, De Bruyne finding the open man, Meunier and Carrasco bombing down the wings and Lukaku waiting for his moment.
But against a tight, organised defence, the 3-4-3 remains a limited system, especially if the wing-backs aren't on point. England—a team with tons of pace out wide and players who like to dive into space behind the full-backs—should have all kinds of opportunities to exploit.
What's Next?
Belgium face Tunisia on Saturday, one day before Panama take on England.
Belgium vs. Panama: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info for World Cup 2018
Jun 17, 2018
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, right, is congratulated by teammate Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne after scoring his sides first goal during a friendly soccer match between Belgium and Egypt at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Belgium and Panama begin their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaigns on Monday, when the two nations clash at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia.
Big things are expected from Belgium, as manager Roberto Martinez has a star-studded squad that includes players such as Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Panama are the underdogs in Group G after qualifying for the finals for the first time. They sneaked into the World Cup on the final matchday with a controversial win over Costa Rica that saw them finish third in CONCACAF qualifying.
Date:Monday, June 18
Time: 6 p.m. local time, 4 p.m. (BST), 11 a.m. (ET)
Belgium have some injury concerns, as defenders Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen are expected to miss out, per Simon Massart of FIFA.com. Celtic's Dedryck Boyata should come in alongside Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
Hazard should feature despite picking up an injury in Belgium's warm-up win over Costa Rica. Martinez said the problem is "nothing to worry about," per The Independent.
Panama have concerns over midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez, who suffered an injury in training but is expected to be fit for the clash, per the Telegraph.
Midfielders Gabriel Gomez and Anibal Godoy trained away from the group on Saturday but could still be involved, per Samuel McCollin of FIFA.com.
Time For Belgium to Shine at the World Cup
Anything other than a comfortable Belgium win will be seen as a surprise, and they have the firepower to blow Panama away.
Lukaku scored 27 goals in all competitions during his first season at Manchester United, Dries Mertens helped inspire Napoli's title challenge, De Bruyne rivalled Mohamed Salah as the best player in the Premier League and Hazard's penalty won the FA Cup final for Chelsea.
Belgium's final game before the World Cup was a friendly against Costa Rica, which they won 4-1. Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe offered his view of the game:
So Belgium looked pretty damn good last night huh. Hazard, Lukaku and Mertens running riot.
Notable that they drew Costa Rica forward with a short pass from Courtois on goal kicks, beat initial press and created huge spaces between the lines for Hazard to use. Scary stuff.
Reaching the World Cup is a huge landmark for Panama, and anything else will be seen as a bonus given they lack the talent elsewhere in their group, which also contains England and Tunisia.
Panama are expected to adopt a defensive approach and look to frustrate their opponents. While they may not be able to match Belgium in terms of quality, they should not lack for motivation, desire and sheer hard work.
The Belgium Process
Jun 13, 2018
All in the name of black, yellow and red.
That’s what will be top of mind for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku when they lead their country, Belgium—the No. 3-ranked team in the world, according to FIFA—out onto the pitch at this year’s World Cup. The two larger-than-life superstars are tasked with finding a way to deliver on a mountain of hype, and the hopes of a nation. There are multiple ways to win any World Cup. But a team can only make a finite amount of mistakes. The Belgian national team has found this out firsthand—most recently in 2014, when it lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals.
But this time, the national team’s destiny feels different. Both of its stars are in their prime. Hazard, the diminutive (5’8”), French-speaking wunderkind, has become a silent assassin on the pitch and one of the best in the world. Lukaku, the big, flamboyant, Belgian-born son of Congolese parents, has gained international acclaim for what he can do with the ball at his feet. He’s hammered home enough goals in the last few seasons for people to call him the “new Drogba.”
Many see Lukaku and Hazard as the keys to winning the Cup. But not just Romelu and Eden. Both are part of sets of footballing brothers. Romelu’s sibling Jordan plays for Italian club Lazio and the national team (he’s also a staple on Romelu’s Instagram). And there is another Hazard, Thorgan, in Germany at Borussia Monchengladbach. (Eden has two more younger brothers: Kylian, on Chelsea’s developmental team, and Ethan, who is still in school.) The Belgians featured this dynamic tandem of familial dual threats through the European qualifiers. (Jordan missed the final cut when the roster was announced earlier this month.) They are also joined by other top-caliber European talent, including Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne—players who left home for bigger clubs and more money.
20170831 - Liege, Belgium / Fifa WC 2018 Qualifying match : Belgium v Gibraltar / 'nEden HAZARD - Romelu LUKAKU - Celebration'nEuropean Qualifiers / Qualifying Round Group H / 'nPicture by Vincent Van Doornick / Isosport
So how did Belgium become such a powerhouse? The country only boasts a population of roughly 11 million. The answer to that lies in the individual wills of two of the greatest football talents the country has ever seen. But it also lies in the will of a country that had the courage to fix a system in need of repair. Because you don’t get dual Hazards and Lukakus—and a brilliant cadre of Belgian footballers all playing for their nation, peaking at the right time—without a determined effort to invest in the future.
The system wasn’t working.
By 2000, the Belgian national team had been stuck in a rut in international play for years. It had been two decades since its runner-up finish in the 1980 UEFA European Football Championship. The team’s best finish in the World Cup—fourth place—was in 1986. In its two most recent showings, the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, the team failed to progress beyond the first rounds.
The problem was that there were limited options for young players to develop and funnel up into the elite ranks. Additionally, football was becoming an increasingly international sport, and wages abroad had started to dwarf those available in Belgian competitions, sucking talent outside the country. This went for kids with even the most impressive football pedigrees, like Hazard, who in time would make his ascent through the ranks across the border in France. This might also have been the route for Lukaku, also a player with a strong football lineage, had his country not done some deep introspection.
After the 2000 debacle, the Royal Belgian Football Association convened a working group to devise a plan to return the country to football prominence. Among those involved were Michel Sablon, then the technical director, and Werner Helsen, a former footballer-turned-sports scientist at the Catholic University in Leuven, just outside Brussels. Helsen was the first academic to apply the 10,000-hour rule, made popular by Malcolm Gladwell, to sports. Performance, he found, was linked to the number of practice hours. At the time, teenage footballers in Belgium practiced four or five times per week. (Games were often played on the weekend, which amounted to some 12 hours per week.) It wasn’t enough, Helsen thought. “We need to double the amount of practise,” he said.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/
They worked to establish “Top Sports Schools” across the country, where flexible curricula allowed students, beginning at age 13, to train for three hours every morning except Wednesdays. “The football training is integrated in the school plan, which means that these students can have a normal graduation,” Helsen said. Players would meet the threshold of 20 weekly hours—school and club commitments included—that Helsen believed was required for success. The schools would incubate a number of the current national stars, including De Bruyne and Napoli striker Dries Mertens, who attended Genk and Leuven, respectively.
There were other reforms, too. Training would concentrate on small-sided games, five-a-side and eight-a-side, and one-versus-one drills that would improve technical skills, like dribbling. Coaches would not limit touches. They mandated a 4-3-3 formation with three strikers, to make players more comfortable with maintaining possession. The epicenter of Belgian football moved to Tubize, on the outskirts of Brussels, where a new national football centre was built. Aspiring coaches could take entry-level coaching courses for free.
But perhaps the most meaningful reform was the introduction of programs to ensure players were receiving additional academic support to match the education they received on the pitch. Nationwide, there were the Top Sport Schools. But Anderlecht also established its own bespoke school collaboration, called the Purple Talents Project. This is where Lukaku would build the solid foundation that helped launch his career at home.
Lukaku was a precocious teen. He had the developed physique of a grown man. “You saw normal players and then you saw a big, young African player who was 15 or 20 centimeters bigger than all the rest,” Jean Kindermans, the technical director for youth development at Anderlecht, says of the first time he saw Lukaku. He also was the son of a former Congolese journeyman striker, Roger. Football was in his blood.
Anderlecht's Romelu Lukaku (R) shoots the 2-0 goal during the return game of RSCA Anderlecht Welsh team 'TNS - The New Saints', in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, in Anderlecht on August 3, 2010. The first leg was won by Anderlech
But he was rough in his skills. “He wanted to get better and he knew his size wouldn’t always make a difference,” remembers Yannick Ferrera, another youth coach at Anderlecht at the time. “Always open, always listening to the people giving him advice.”
They focused on Lukaku’s technical abilities: touches, possession, dribbling. The young striker made his training into a game on occasion. One time, he bet how many times he would score in the coming season. Ludo Vandeweyer, who would pick up the young player at 7 a.m. and drive him to training, recalls the tallies in early years being as high as 30 or 50 goals.
The staff at Anderlecht kept close tabs on their prodigy. Peter Smeets, a mentor to Lukaku and former teacher, would record his protege’s aspirations in a paper diary (smartphones weren’t as ubiquitous then). Some of the goals were a bit hubristic. In 2008, Lukaku told Bob Browaeys, now coach of the Belgian under-16 national side, that he hoped to play in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa at age 17.
“We said, as staff members, ‘He’s a little bit crazy in his head,’” Browaeys recalls.
Belgium failed to qualify for the tournament. But, in the following years, Lukaku made the national squad and made good on his aspirations to take his unworldly skill set international.
Hazard, meanwhile, had left Belgium for a foreign school-club system at Lille in France. There, he immediately turned heads with his upside. “I’d never seen a player with a talent like him at that age,” says Alain Wallyn, a youth coach at Lille, remembering when he first caught a glimpse of Hazard.
Lille's Belgian forward Eden Hazard (C) vies with Saint-Etienne's players during the French L1 football match Saint-Etienne versus Lille on September 10, 2011 at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE MERLE (Photo credit shoul
That he was coming from a family of footballers probably helped. His mother, Carine, was a striker in the Belgian Women's First Division. His father, Thierry, was a defensive midfielder with La Louviere in the Belgian Second Division. Eden showed so much promise that his coaches had to find inventive ways to challenge him. “If Eden is not challenged, it becomes too easy for him, he’s not interested anymore, you have to push him a bit,” Wallyn remembered.
Before long, after he won an under-15 championship with Lille, Hazard inked a modest contract for around €500 per month. Although several other clubs were already interested in Hazard, the youngster was happy to stay put. “Don’t you worry,” the teenager remarked. “If I’m really good, I will earn money later.”
Lukaku’s arrival at Chelsea in August of 2011 signaled that Belgium was overflowing with top-tier talent, even if cultivated outside the Top Sports Schools. He had, it seemed, put in his 10,000 hours at Anderlecht, where he set the scoring record that catapulted him to the big time.
“Amazing. It's a dream come true,” he told the Guardian when the transfer was announced. “I dreamed to play here since I was 10 years old. … It's amazing to arrive here in a big club with big ambition. It was just what I was searching for.”
But at Chelsea, Lukaku struggled to find steady time on the field. For much of his first season, he languished in the reserves. When Chelsea won the Champions League in May 2012, Lukaku had made just four starts for the club. He wasn’t happy about his lack of playing time. (He said of Andre Villas-Boas, his manager to begin the season, “I will never forgive [him] for what he did to me.”) On the bus after the victory, when Lukaku’s then-teammate Salomon Kalou put the trophy on his lap, Lukaku asked him to take it away.
Chelsea's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku (C) reacts after missing a goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge in London on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/MIGUEL MEDINA
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“I didn’t want to touch it because … I had no part in it at all,” he told the De Standaard newspaper. “It wasn’t me, but my team that won the trophy.” To get back on the field, Lukaku had to head into the wilderness. That August, he went out on loan from Chelsea to West Bromwich Albion. And he quickly found the success he was looking for. He racked up 17 goals, more than any striker at Chelsea. The next year, Lukaku went to Everton on another season-long loan and played well there, too. He joined the club permanently for an Everton-record fee of £28 million ($33 million). He was still just 21.
Before Lukaku’s early departure, Hazard joined Chelsea in June of 2012. To announce his arrival there, he tweeted: “I’m signing for the Champions League winner.” The deal was worth £32 million ($37.7 million). And right away, unlike that of his Belgian teammate, Hazard’s impact was immediately felt. In his first season, he made 34 Premier League appearances and scored nine goals. He also made six appearances each in the Champions League and FA Cup.
“Eden is 22. He has got the world at his feet and he can handle the pressure because he is that good,” Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard told Chelsea's official site in 2013. “His ability and speed off the mark, and the way he is able to turn on a sixpence is what all great attacking players have, and he’s got it in abundance.”
Hazard seemed supremely confident in his skills. He toldChelsea magazine: “I like to have the ball at my feet and to create something with a pass, a dribble, a shot. I’m an offensive player and it’s always important for me to make a good choice, a good pass, in the final third. The decisive moments happen in the final third.”
And he made good on his word. He scooped up multiple player of the year awards, and a few superlatives to boot. Some came to recognize him as the best player in Europe. Others went so far as to put him in the category of Messi and Ronaldo. Manchester United’s outspoken coach Jose Mourinho (then managing Hazard at Chelsea) told Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail that he’s “one of the three best players in the world.”
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JULY 5: Eden Hazard of Belgium and Lionel Messi of Argentina in action during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter Final match between Argentina and Belgium at Estadio Nacional on July 5, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Jean Catuf
Meanwhile, at Everton, Lukaku rebuilt himself and thrived. He scored at will, and as he did his notoriety ballooned. By early 2017, the appetite for his talents had skyrocketed. When he turned down a new five-year contracted reported to be worth some £140,000 ($165,123) per week, the most lucrative contract in Everton’s history, the level of intrigue surrounding him increased.
Rumors then swirled that he would return to Chelsea, a move that would have put him back alongside Hazard. Hazard vaguely hinted at his own excitement over a possible reunion.
“He will have to make his own choice,” he told Singapore newspaper the Straits Times. “He’s still young, only 24, but every season, he has scored a lot of goals in the Premier League, and this shows he’s a good striker, because the Premier League is very tough.”
The possible Chelsea move amounted to nothing more than speculation, but the excitement over Lukaku’s future continued. Last July, when Lukaku signed with Manchester United, the tweet announcing the deal became @ManUtd’s most retweeted post of all time. Over 93,000 fans shared it, besting a previous record held by the first official photograph of Paul Pogba in a Manchester United kit after his return to the club.
That superstardom might explain the hype around the Belgium national squad. Each star has a huge following—on Instagram, Lukaku has three million followers; Hazard has 13.2 million—and each is competing at an unfathomably high level. Hazard’s quiet confidence radiates from him, as does his relaxed demeanor. Like when he once posted a photo of himself shooting a football like a jump shot before a big Sunday match. And Lukaku’s indelible cool—from his poolside photoshoots to his all-white nights out with Serge Ibaka and Paul Pogba—has carried him to the front of the football A-list.
The national team understands things need to be different this time around.
Indeed, the system was put in place for a reason: to win.
But in many ways, the country has already won. It has raised the level of its talent. But it has also made the divergent journeys of Hazard and Lukaku possible. That they have risen to prominence by taking markedly different paths through different systems speaks to the changes that Belgium has made to its youth development system. Changes that look as if they will last long into the future.
Hazard found the resources he needed abroad, at Lille. (His youngest brother, Ethan, who is in school, has started to train at Tubize.) Meanwhile, Lukaku was able to stay at home through his late teens, in part because of the development opportunities available to him in the Purple Talents Project, which allowed coaches to smooth out the rough edges of his skill set while he still went to regular school. Before the country revamped its system of development, Lukaku’s alternative route might not have been possible at all.
The Belgian squad has marketed itself as a group of friends coming together to play for a common cause. Hazard has been teasing his #REDTOGETHER campaign on social media as a means of gathering support. Lukaku has expressed his thanks to supporters as well, perhaps to drum up more enthusiasm.
Whether the family campaign will pay off is anybody’s guess. The kinship is surely there. "If I have something to say to Romelu—Romelu, stop scoring goals now. Score goals for Belgium in the national team for the World Cup, please," Hazard told Sky Sports in March.
That kind of friendly banter doesn’t come from a place where the resources are finite and there’s one path to the promised land. It comes from having multiple ways to win.
Simon Akam is a British writer. His work has appeared in numerous British and American publications including the Guardian, the New York Times, GQ, The Economist, Outside and Bloomberg Businessweek. His first book, The Changing of the Guard, on the post-9/11 evolution of the British Army, will be published by William Heinemann/Penguin Random House in March 2019. He also co-hosts the writing podcast Always Take Notes. Follow him on Twitter @simonakam.
Vincent Kompany Included in Belgium World Cup Squad, Christian Benteke Left out
Jun 4, 2018
Belgium's defender Vincent Kompany (L) and Belgium's head coach Roberto Martinez attend a training session of the Belgian national football team on November 7, 2016, in Tubize, Belgium, ahead of an international friendly football match against The Netherlands on November 9. / AFP / Belga / VIRGINIE LEFOUR / Belgium OUT (Photo credit should read VIRGINIE LEFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)
Vincent Kompany has been included in the Belgium squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup despite concerns over his fitness, while Christian Benteke has not made the final cut.
The Belgium Twitter account provided the 23-man group for the tournament in Russia on Monday:
There were fears Kompany would not be available for the competition after he suffered an injury in the 0-0 draw against Portugal on Saturday. However, the Manchester City man has been deemed fit enough to be included in Roberto Martinez's travelling party.
Speaking after the announcement of the squad, Martinez said the hardest decision he had to make was whether or not to include Benteke after his disappointing campaign at Crystal Palace this season:
Benteke, who missed the 2014 tournament due to injury, was a long way short of his best in 2017-18 for the Eagles, as he netted a meagre three goals in 31 Premier League games.
While Benteke can provide a threat with his physical play and aerial power, Belgium are blessed with variety and quality in the final third.
Manchester United man Romelu Lukaku is expected to lead the line, while Chelsea's Batshuayi will offer stiff competition for a starting spot after recovering from an ankle problem.
BRUSSEL, BELGIUM - MARCH 27: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates 2-0 with Dries Mertens of Belgium, Eden Hazard of Belgium during the International Friendly match between Belgium v Saudi Arabia at the Koning Boudewijnstadion on March 27, 2018 in Brusse
It's the supporting cast to the centre-forward where Belgium have tremendous depth, though, as they have a set of attacking midfielders capable of rivalling any side in world football.
Typically Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard flank Lukaku in Martinez's setup and behind them Kevin De Bruyne is poised to pull the strings. The latter enjoyed a sensational season for Manchester City and was a arguably the key man in their record-breaking Premier League campaign.
As noted by Sky Sports Statto, De Bruyne was the most creative player in the English top fight last season:
.@DeBruyneKev won the inaugural ‘Playmaker of the Year’ award as the leading PL assist maker.
The top 4 assist makers in 2017-18 all came from @ManCity: 16 - K. De Bruyne 15 - L. Sane 11 - D. Silva 11 - R. Sterling#PLpic.twitter.com/DdNefPKH0d
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 13, 2018
In midfield Martinez opted not to include Roma star Radja Nainggolan in his initial 30-man group, although there are plenty of powerful options in the form of Mousa Dembele, Axel Witsel and Marouane Fellaini.
In defence the Red Devils also appear to be well stocked. Kompany, fitness permitting, is still a colossus, while Tottenham Hotspur duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are among the best defenders in the Premier League.
The talent is there for Belgium to make a deep run in this competition, and they will be expected to get out of a group containing England, Tunisia and Panama. It's up to Martinez to find a formula that can bring the best out of the squad at his disposal.
Radja Nainggolan Retires from International Play, Left off Belgium's WC Roster
May 21, 2018
Belgium's Radja Nainggolan speaks during a press conference after a training session of Belgian national soccer team Red Devils on March 20, 2017, at the Belgian Football Center in Tubize.
On March 25, Belgium play a game against Greece in the qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. / AFP PHOTO / Belga / BRUNO FAHY / Belgium OUT (Photo credit should read BRUNO FAHY/AFP/Getty Images)
Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has announced his retirement from international football after he was left out of Roberto Martinez's provisional Belgium squad for the 2018 World Cup.
Per Sport Witness, he revealed the decision on Instagram:
Radja Nainggolan has announced his international retirement on Instagram.
'Very reluctantly my international career comes to an end... I’ve always done everything I could to represent my country. Being yourself can be bothering... From this day on I will be the first fan.' pic.twitter.com/9N2Y7kIhi1
His exclusion from the squad was perhaps not too surprising, as Nainggolan played just six minutes of their qualifying campaign to reach the tournament in Russia.
The midfielder was reportedly dropped by the Spaniard initially because ofhis smoking habit, though Martinez said it was a tactical decision:
🗣️ R. Martínez : “@OfficialRadja is a top player. The reason is tactical. In the last two years the team has worked in a specific manner. Other players had those roles.” #REDTOGETHER 🇧🇪 #WorldCup
🗣️ R. Martínez : “We know that @OfficialRadja has a very important role in his club and we cannot give him that role in our squad.” #REDTOGETHER 🇧🇪 #WorldCup
Martinezrecently signeda two-year contract extension with the Red Devils, so Nainggolan's chances of playing a significant role after the World Cup appeared to be slim.
Given he's now 30, it's understandable he has taken the decision to call time on his Belgium career.
His absence is a blow to the national side, though, such is his quality.
As Squawka Football demonstrated, Nainggolan is a potent blend of combativeness and creativity in the centre of the park:
Radja Nainggolan for Roma in the Champions League and Serie A this season:
Joint-most assists (11) 2nd most chances created (79) 3rd most take-ons (63) 4th most tackles won (67)
Belgium are hardly short on midfield talent, and they were able to qualify for the tournament largely without Nainggolan, but few can make things happen like he can or contribute so much both offensively and defensively.
To not even have him as an option in the squad is a strange decision if it was made for tactical reasons.
