Heartbreak in Qatar as Belgium’s Era Ends With a Whimper
The curtains have fallen on Belgium‘s much-vaunted “Golden Generation” in the most agonizing fashion possible. In a must-win encounter against Croatia, Six6s witnessed Romelu Lukaku endure one of the most catastrophic individual performances in World Cup history, as his four glaring misses condemned Belgium to a shocking group-stage exit. The 0-0 draw at Al Janoub Stadium saw Croatia progress alongside group winners Morocco, leaving Roberto Martinez’s side third in Group F – a humiliating outcome for a team ranked second in FIFA’s world rankings.
Tactical Breakdown: Where It Went Wrong for Belgium
Aging Squad Shows Its Limitations
Belgium fielded the oldest starting XI of the tournament (average age: 31 years 95 days), and their lack of dynamism was evident from the opening seconds when Ivan Perisic nearly caught them napping. Martinez’s decision to drop captain Eden Hazard for Leandro Trossard failed to spark creativity, with Kevin De Bruyne uncharacteristically subdued in midfield.
As Six6s analyst Mark Thompson notes: “Belgium’s midfield trio of De Bruyne, Witsel and Dendoncker lacked the energy to press Croatia’s technical players. Modric and Kovacic dictated tempo at will in the first half.”
Lukaku’s Horror Show Off the Bench
The second-half introduction of Lukaku should have been Martinez’s masterstroke. Instead, the Inter Milan striker produced a 45-minute display that will haunt Belgian football:
- 60′: Hits post from 5 yards after Livakovic parry
- 63′: Heads over from De Bruyne cross (ball potentially out)
- 87′: Flicks Meunier cross wide from 6 yards
- 90′: Chests to Livakovic with open goal
- 90+2′: Beaten to loose ball by Gvardiol
Romelu Lukaku’s series of misses proved decisive in Belgium’s elimination
Croatia’s Resilient Performance
While Belgium floundered, Croatia demonstrated why they remain tournament dark horses:
- Defensive Organization: Gvardiol (20) and Lovren (33) formed an impenetrable barrier
- Midfield Mastery: Modric (37) and Kovacic controlled proceedings with 92% combined pass accuracy
- Game Management: Smart fouls and time-wasting in crucial moments
Zlatko Dalic’s side now face Group E winners Spain in the last 16 – a rematch of their epic 3-2 Nations League thriller from June 2022.
The End of an Era
Martinez’s Departure Confirmed
Post-match, Martinez announced his six-year tenure had concluded: “This was my last game. I wanted to stay loyal after 2018, but now it’s time for new leadership.” His legacy includes a third-place finish in 2018 but persistent failure in knockout matches against elite opposition.
What Next for Belgium’s Stars?
With 15 of 26 squad members aged 29+, Six6s identifies key crossroads:
- De Bruyne (31): Likely final major tournament as primary creator
- Courtois (30): Still world-class but defense needs rebuilding
- Lukaku (29): Questions about big-game mentality resurface
- Hazard (31): International future uncertain after benching
Statistical Post-Mortem
- 1 – Goals scored in group stage (lowest since 1930)
- 0 – Shots on target vs Morocco (first time since 1980)
- 61 – Games since previous 0-0 draw (June 2018 vs Portugal)
- 100 – Courtois’ cap milestone marked by elimination
Expert Verdict: Where Belgium Failed
Six6s convened our panel of analysts to dissect the debacle:
“This wasn’t just about Lukaku’s misses,” says former Belgium international Daniel Van Buyten. “The squad planning was catastrophic – no young forwards developed behind Lukaku, no full-backs to provide width. This collapse was years in the making.”
Tactical expert Clara Mathews adds: “Martinez never evolved from his 3-4-3 system. Top teams figured out how to isolate De Bruyne after 2018. Today, Modric showed how to neutralize him with intelligent positioning.”
Looking Ahead: Croatia’s Prospects
While Belgium laments, Croatia celebrates another knockout berth. Their tournament pedigree suggests they could replicate 2018’s run, though improvements are needed:
- Striker Issues: Kramaric and Petkovic managed just 2 shots on target
- Aging Core: Modric (37), Perisic (33), Lovren (33) playing heavy minutes
- Defensive Solidity: Just 1 goal conceded in group stage
Final Thoughts: A Cautionary Tale
Belgium’s exit serves as a stark reminder that talent alone doesn’t win tournaments. Poor succession planning, tactical stagnation, and failing to peak at the right moment doomed their golden generation. For Six6s readers, it’s a lesson in football’s cruel realities – sometimes, the window closes before you’re ready.
As Croatia marches on, football romantics will wonder what might have been for Belgium‘s most gifted squad. The answer, written in Lukaku’s tears and Martinez’s resignation, is perhaps the most painful of all: not enough.
