Over the last decade, the Belgium national team has gone from being an absentee at international events, to a dark horse at the 2014 FIFA World Cup to title challengers at the 2016 Euros and the 2018 World Cup, and finally to a team whose future, and legacy, hang in the balance despite being ranked number one in the world. The Golden Generation is here and nearly gone, and they have no trophies to mark this era. For a country with little-to-no legacy in world football, every tournament feels like a last opportunity to stamp its name in the annals of the sport.
At the ongoing 2020 Euro, Belgium has made it through to the round of 16. A facile 3-0 victory over Russia was followed by a hard-fought one against Denmark. Romelu Lukaku was man-of-the-match for both games; Kevin de Bruyne fought through pain to make his return from a facial injury; and Eden Hazard showed glimpses of his expressive best. As has been the case of late, the fate of the team depends heavily on their big three stars. But that is where this squad is different from the one from a few years ago.
The Belgium talent pool is still wide, no doubt. But while the likes of Lukaku, de Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have gone from strength to strength, the team is no longer a well-rounded unit. More than anything, the Belgian defence has shrivelled and aged. That was manager Roberto Martinez's biggest worry ahead of the tournament. And, the scrappy 2-1 victory over Denmark showed just that.
Denmark had 21 shots on goal while Belgium had only six. Every time Denmark's Yussuf Poulsen or Carlos Braithwaite charged at the opponent's goal, the Belgians sat back, almost inviting the forwards to take their shot. Besides, they looked tentative in possession, something that the Danes caught on, resulting in intense pressing on the Belgian backline.
That was how Belgium conceded the opening goal. In just the second minute of the game, Jason Denayer, playing at the centre of a back three, played a wayward pass that was gratefully pounced on by Pierre-Emile Hojberg. The Tottenham midfielder threaded the ball through to Poulsen, who smacked it past a helpless Courtois.
Denayer's predecessor in that exact position is the Belgian Rock Vincent Kompany. Since his retirement, the team stability has steadily declined. Jan Vertonghen is 34 and no longer the rock he was at former club Tottenham. Same can be said of Toby Alderweireld, 32, whose best years are far behind him. The only other options in central defence are Thomas Vermaelen, 35, and Dedryck Boyata, 30, both slow movers on the pitch.
The team had been sweating over the fitness of veteran defensive midfielder Axel Witsel ahead of the tournament. His ability to protect the defenders behind him has made him an indispensable member of the squad, something that was on full display at the 2018 World Cup. As soon as Martinez brought him on in the second half against Denmark, the impact was almost immediate. He steadied the ship to some extent with vital interventions as Belgian fans held their breath till the final whistle.
Kevin de Bruyne's introduction in the second half was explosive too, as expected. He assisted the first goal, scored by Thorgan Hazard, and smacked the ball into the net with his left foot for Belgium's second. Both goals were well crafted, thanks to the creativity of Lukaku, de Bruyne and Eden Hazard. Belgium really looked like two different teams in attack and defence.
If Belgium are to go the distance, Martinez needs to find a quick fix for his defence. Courtois, who won the golden glove award at the World Cup, can bail them out with his incredible goalkeeping, but much will ride on Witsel's role in the knockout phase. His solidity and distribution will be vital to allow the attackers to flourish. If he is not fit enough to make it through 90 minutes, Belgium can only hope that their blistering attackers outscore their opponents.
