Belgium have only won once in their last eight games - but have a new manager and a new generation of players World Cup qualifier:Belgium v Wales Venue:King Baudouin Stadium, BrusselsDate:Monday, 9 JuneKick-off:19:45 BST Coverage:Live on BBC One, S4C, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. They were once the world's number one side. But the questions now keep coming for Belgium, a nation who have slowly said goodbye to a golden generation that dazzled but never truly delivered. Dropping points to North Macedonia on Friday night was their latest difficult evening, a late goal in Skopje denying Rudi Garcia victory in his first World Cup qualifying game since taking charge with the aim of arresting a slide that has brought just one win in their last eight games. Kevin De Bruyne was described by one Belgian newspaper to have flapped his arms in frustration several times before being substituted ahead of Monday's crucial game with Wales. Only he, the injured Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku remain of their incredible clutch of players that were ranked as the international game's best for the best part of a decade. And yet there is also excitement around a new generation of talent that could yet keep Belgium an international threat. So what exactly happened to Belgium? And as Craig Bellamy's resurgent Wales prepare to head to Brussels, where are they now? Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen, Dries Mertens and Vincent Kompany celebrate a milestone win over Wales in 2012. The side had an average age of 24 and would end a 12-year tournament exile As Belgium exited Euro 2024 with a whimper, barely making a mark on the tournament, De Bruyne made his feelings clear on the"stupid"question he had received. "And you say that France and England and Spain and Germany [didn't have] a golden generation?" he asked, biting back at a question about his country's version had failed to live up to expectation. Maybe so. But it is hard not to recall missed opportunities of a star-studded side. The biggest was arguably at the hands of Euro 2016 darlings Wales. There is an irony that some see Cardiff as the beginning of the team's journey to the top. Belgium had failed to qualify for five consecutive major finals and when they arrived in south Wales to take on Chris Coleman's side in September 2012, they had been outside the world's top 50 just a few weeks earlier. But the Belgian's FA response to a decade-long absence from the biggest stage was to invest into youth development, a decision that was about to deliver its dividends with Marc Wilmots side teeming with talent playing at elite clubs across the continent. They weren't yet household names. Courtois (20) and De Bruyne (21) won their fourth caps that night while the likes of Eden Hazard (21), Lukaku (19) combined with â goalscorers in the 2-0 win - Jan Vertonghen and Vincent Kompany relative veterans at 25 and 26 respectively. With Axel Witsel, Toby Alderweireld, Moussa Dembele, Dries Mertens and more to call upon, Belgium went unbeaten through the campaign and qualified for the 2014 World Cup â and for every major finals since. By 2015 they were first in Fifa's rankings. When they returned there under Roberto Martinez in 2018, they stayed top of the world for four years. And yet they remain the only nation to have held that spot without ever winning a major trophy. "Overall, this generation definitely had what it took to achieve the big goal of winning a title," says Jean-Marie Pfaff, the cult hero goalkeeper who was part of the side that reached the 1980 European Championships final and the 1986 World Cup semi-finals. "Unfortunately, this didn't work out because the players rarely played as a real team, with one player running for another. The burden was on a few individual shoulders, which was not enough." Belgium were brilliant at the 2018 World Cup - beating Brazil in the quarter-finals - only to come up agonisingly short in the semi-finals against would-be champions France. But, for all the hype and hope, that was as good as it got. Like 2016, Euro 2020 ended in the quarter-finals. The 2022 World Cup saw them slump out at the group stages amid retirements, the resignation of Roberto Martinez and talk of rifts among the squad. Former midfielder Radja Nainggolan was reported as admitting they were a team of too many individuals trying to stand out. It continued under Martinez's replacement, the young former Leipzig coach Domenico Tedesco. Soon enough Courtois had placed himself in self-imposed exile citing alack of confidencein the new manager. "The side actually had a very good qualification campaign for Euro 2024," says Bart Lagae, journalist with Belgian newspaper De Standaard. "It surprised people because with Hazard and others gone, they thought the golden generation was already over. "But there was a new manager with a new system, new players like Jeremy Doku who thrived on the counter attack." But after an unbeaten road to Germany, the tournament ended with last-16 defeat to France. They had only scraped through to the knock-outs after a draw with Ukraine that saw fans turn on the side in Stuttgart. "Things didn't progress," adds Pfaff. "Performances stagnated, there was no sign of development and the results weren't right. "Key players were too often missing through injury, and there were repeated internal differences, which did not help matters and were a constant disruptive factor." This video can not be played Wales secure first competitive win against Belgium in 1990 On the back of veiled criticism from De Bruyne, Tedesco left in January with former Lyon, Marseille and Roma coach Rudi Garcia coming in for the Nations League play-off with Ukraine, overturning a 3-1 first leg deficit to remain in the top-tier. "The thinking was he is a manager who has won things, and a lot of the talk has been that is more about mentality, about handling the pressure," adds Lagae, who says some hope has returned. And for good reason. Courtois has returned while Lukaku is fresh from a Serie A title with Napoli, while De Bruyne remains despite suggestions the 33-year-old would be next to retire. "If he is motivated he is still able to decide games," says Lagae. But as well as the recognised names â Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard and Matz Sels are among the Premier League contingent - there is also the new breed that excite. "I think the interesting thing about the 2018 World Cup generation was that they didn't arrive in 2018 - they went through periods of learning and succeeding and some difficult moments first," says Luke Benstead, an analyst with the Belgium team under Martinez and Tedesco. "And that's also the generation now with the likes of Amadou Onana coming through, Zeno Debast, Jeremy Doku. The talent is huge. "But it takes tournaments to arrive as a generation; these players in Belgium have had such an experience in football from a young age, it will take one tournament for them to arrive and with their quality, there's no reason they can't do it." Manchester City's Jeremy Doku couldn't help Rudi Garcia earn a win in his opening World Cup qualifying game in charge of Belgium as they drew 1-1 in North Macedonia The thinking appears justified. As well as Sporting's 21-year-old talent Debast, there is excitement about Ajax teenager Jorthy Mokio. The 20-year-old former Chelsea full-back Diego Moreira has been called up after an impressive year at Strasbourg having switched allegiances from Portugal. Chelsea's Romeo Lavia was left out after only returning recently, but is another on which hopes are built. And there are others who Garcia has turned to, such as wideman Alexis Saelemaekers who impressed at Roma on loan from AC Milan last year. Some are known to a certain Craig Bellamy having seen the likes of Doku â who the Wales manager says could lose you in a phone box â and Zebast come through at Anderlecht during a two-year spell under Kompany with the Brussels giant's youth team. "People should remember too that the golden generation worked a lot with these players," adds Benstead. "You had Jan Vertonghen who only just retired last year, and many of them players like Rom, Kevin, they were inside that young generation passing on that knowledge. They opened the door a little bit to what was possible." Fans are still wary of placing too much faith in Garcia, especially with the performance in Skopje being criticised defensively for a team that once could call on a company of top-level centre-backs. And the visit of Wales will be perhaps their sternest test. But while the golden generation may have gone, Belgium are not done. "More would have been possible (with the golden generation), but Belgium will continue to have a team that can compete at the top in the future," insists Pfaff. "The young players may have to learn the hard way over the next few months, but something big could happen again in Belgium."
What happened to Belgium and their golden generation?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Belgium Faces Transition as Golden Generation Fades and New Talent Emerges"
Bbc News
7.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Belgium's national football team, once celebrated for its golden generation of players, finds itself grappling with a series of disappointing performances as they transition to a new phase under a new manager. After achieving only one victory in their last eight matches, Belgium is at a crossroads, with questions swirling around the effectiveness of their current squad and management. Their recent draw against North Macedonia in a World Cup qualifying match added to the scrutiny, as it was a missed opportunity for Rudi Garcia, who was eager to make a positive impact in his debut. The team's struggles have been magnified by the dwindling presence of key figures from the golden generation, such as Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku, who are now joined by a younger cohort of players who hold promise for the future. Despite these challenges, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the emergence of new talents who could help revitalize the team and maintain Belgium's competitive edge on the international stage.
The narrative of Belgium's football journey has been marked by both triumph and missed opportunities. The golden generation, which brought Belgium to the pinnacle of FIFA rankings, is now largely retired, leaving behind a legacy that includes near misses in major tournaments. The team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals in both Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, yet they failed to secure a major title, a fact that haunts their legacy. Observers note that while the golden generation had immense individual talent, the lack of cohesive teamwork often hindered their potential success. As Belgium prepares for crucial upcoming matches, including a test against Wales, the focus will be on how the new manager, Garcia, can harness the talents of both seasoned players and promising newcomers. The hope is that with the right guidance and experience, this new generation can learn from the past and carve out a successful future for Belgian football.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article reflects on the current state of the Belgium national football team, particularly focusing on the transition from a once-celebrated golden generation of players to a new era with mixed prospects. It highlights the struggles the team faces, including recent poor performances and the departure of key players, while also hinting at the potential of emerging talents.
Public Perception and Emotional Response
The narrative likely aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia and disappointment among Belgian football fans regarding the decline of a once-great team. By framing the team's struggles in the context of its past successes, it creates a contrast that may resonate emotionally with readers. This could foster a collective longing for the glory days and a desire for resurgence in international football.
Information Omission and Control
The article does not appear to hide significant information but instead focuses on presenting a critical view of the team’s trajectory. However, there may be a tendency to downplay the systemic issues within Belgian football that could have contributed to the decline, such as management decisions or the pressure of expectations. This focus on individual player experiences might divert attention from broader organizational challenges.
Manipulative Elements
There is a degree of manipulation in the way the narrative emphasizes the failures of the current squad while romanticizing the past. The use of quotes from Kevin De Bruyne serves to underline the frustration felt by players but can also be interpreted as a way to deflect criticism from the team leadership. Such tactics might be perceived as an attempt to maintain public support amid disappointing results.
Trustworthiness of the Report
Overall, the article seems credible as it references recent matches and player sentiments. However, the selection of quotes and the framing of Belgium's situation could be seen as biased, highlighting a specific viewpoint while potentially neglecting others. This results in a partially skewed representation of the team's current standing.
Broader Implications
The discussion surrounding Belgium's football team might reflect larger themes within sports culture, such as the pressure to perform and the challenges of transitioning leadership. This could resonate beyond football, influencing how fans and communities view success and failure in other areas of life.
Target Audience
This article appears to cater to football enthusiasts, particularly those invested in the Belgian national team. It may also appeal to a broader audience interested in sports narratives that explore themes of success, legacy, and change.
Market Impact Considerations
While the article may not directly influence stock markets, it can affect the perception of sports-related investments, especially for companies affiliated with the Belgian football scene. Companies that sponsor the national team could experience fluctuations in public sentiment and brand association.
Geopolitical Context
The article does not explicitly connect to global power dynamics; however, the narrative of a national team’s rise and fall can reflect broader societal issues, such as national pride and identity. In the context of current events, discussions around sports often intersect with themes of nationalism and unity.
AI Involvement
There is no clear indication that AI was used in crafting this article. However, if AI were involved, it could have influenced the tone or selection of quotes to generate emotional engagement. The framing of the narrative—balancing past glories with current struggles—could be an area where AI models might steer the content to evoke specific reader reactions.
In conclusion, the article serves to engage football fans with a critical look at Belgium's national team, blending nostalgia with a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential.