Euro 2016: tactical blunders mean the end for Belgium

SATURDAY, 2 JULY 2016, 02:25 - Skyhawk
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GAMES - OTHER Belgium's golden generation has been eliminated by a relatively modest opponent: Wales. Tactical blunders of a clueless coach Wilmots proved fatal this time, despite an excellent start of the match. A unique chance to reach the final has been lost. And for a small country such as Belgium, that is a disaster. Chances like these don't come along very often...

Belgium started with an experimental defence. Vermaelen was suspended and Vertonghen got injured. Since Wilmots had left his only remaining experienced defender at home (Lombaerts), he now had to play with Denayer and Jordan Lukaku. That didn't cause a lot of problems at the beginning of the match though. Belgium put high pressure on Wales and completely dominated. With three excellent chances in less than 15 seconds, the Red Devils could have opened the score after six minutes. A bit later, Belgium got what they deserved though: Nainngolan's effort went in the upper left corner at a speed of 107km/h! 

With Belgium being excellent in counter attacking, the most difficult part seemed done now. But suddenly, the Belgians left the ball to Wales and fell back in defensive positions. And that was the first huge mistake of the evening. Courtois was needed to keep his net clean, but a bit later he was defeated when Williams headed the ball in the goal on a corner kick. 

During half time, Wilmots substituted Carrasco for Fellaini, falling back on the same system that led to a disastrous defeat against Italy in the first match of the tournament. This was the final blow for the Red Devils. Despite a few excellent chances at the beginning of the second half, the team seemed to rely mostly on improvisation. Wales on the other hand, had a perfect plan worked out and they demonstrated it on the counter attack. Robson Kanu, easily outplayed Meunier and Denayer and could score unchallenged. The situation was now critical for Belgium, but there clearly was no plan B. Vokes finished the match in the 97th minute.

After the match, goalkeeper Courtois was clear: "We were overclassed on the tactical level once again, just like against Italy. We even made the same mistakes. Whether the coach has to leave? That's up to him to decide."
Coach Wilmots saw it differently, of course. According to him the unexperienced defence was the problem. A strange statement from the man who kept experienced defender Ciman on the bench and left key-player Lombaerts even at home. He also stressed the tactics used were flawless. For the moment, he doesn't think of quiting. But it seems like his position has slowly become impossible anyway... Luckily, Anderlecht already have a new coach!



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