Heading into the World Cup, there is perhaps a sense that Belgium had missed their window when it came to winning a major tournament.
Their 'golden generation' of players have been performing to the highest level over the last number of years, having good runs in the last few tournaments. However, many of them are now coming towards the end of their careers and are no longer at the peak of their powers.
It was hoped that they could muster the form to make one more push in Qatar, but it looks incredibly unlikely at the moment. Having failed to impress in their opening match against Canada, they were deservedly beaten by Morocco in their second group game this afternoon.
GOAL - Morocco 🇲🇦 - 90(+2)'
A brilliant finish from Aboukhlal and Morocco have beaten Belgium in Doha
📺Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/2W5kFubRRc
📱 Live updates: https://t.co/QdpLMOATkh #FIFAWorldCup #BELMAR pic.twitter.com/ugGGrzvsKB— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 27, 2022
While they are still very much in the tournament, there is little in their play up to this point to suggest that they have any chance of lifting the trophy.
Kenny Cunningham not impressed with Belgium
Belgium are incredibly fortunate to even have three points under their belt. They were outplayed by Canada in the first game and probably should have lost.
In all, it has been a disastrous few days for the team and their manager Roberto Martinez. He remained upbeat after the game and insisted that only some minor issues were stopping his side from hitting top form.
Kenny Cunningham isn't buying it.
Speaking on RTÉ, the former Ireland defender said that this team had run its course and that Martinez's time in charge was quickly coming to an end.
This is the present day par for this Belgium team, we're looking at it. For people looking at it and expecting them to go through gears, forget about it because it's not going to happen. That's the reality of the situation.
The only thing Eden Hazard got right this week was his statement that the golden generation was dead in his opinion. We saw the dying embers of it there tonight...
I think [Martinez] trying to protect his players too much, he should name names a little bit...
He is going to suffer the consequences whether he accepts it or not. He resembles the captain of the Titanic there, he is going to go down with these players. They are his players, he trusted them and backed them. I think the players have let him down to an extent.
Tactically he set the team up wrong, in terms of the players that he has. The balance of the team is wrong, he is going to have to accept responsibility for that.
It's just not working. We had our reservations before the tournament started in terms of players in key positions on the pitch, trying to accommodate both De Bruyne and Hazard in one team. I don't think you can, we've seen the evidence of that over the last few days.
There is no quick fix here, it's as simple as that...
I'm not too sure that he's the man that is going to take this team forward. I think he knows that himself deep down, he accepts that.
Belgium do have some talented young players in their squad, but they are not yet up to the level of some of those who have starred in their colours over the last decade or so.
Unfortunately, it seems as though their days at the top table of international football could be numbered.
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