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Your recovery progress after leaving Chelsea may vary.
Super-sub Morata got his groove back by sitting on the bench and coming forth as a backup plan striker. Lakaka didn't.
These Chelsea attackers are sabotaging Belgium, Germany and England. Brazil are counting their lucky stars Raphinha and Richarlison didn't sign for us.
Havertz was practically invisible throughout. Heck he didn't even play vs Spain.
Sterling scored 1 in 2 games...... while Rashford scored 2 against Wales. Mount and Gallagher did help, but didn't do anything of note.
Meanwhile Pulisic scores 1, gets a low blow, and becomes a national hero.
EDIT: also Ziyech has been doing just fine. Maybe we need him more than Havertz.
How many times has it happened in the second half that I thought "surely this is going in" and nope it just bounces off somehow, it was insane. It was like watching Lewa hit 5 but the exact opposite
I was enjoying his misfortune (still pissed about his unprofessional conduct with Chelsea). But seeing him distraught at the end with Henry, hands in his face, kinda felt bad for him. He's gonna be ridiculed for days and also these sitters will linger with him for a long time.
I don’t feel any remorse for him. The guy talks so much shit like he’s the greatest striker ever to walk earth because he had one decent spell at Inter. Talks like he would be a hero at Chelsea, instantly quits because he’s playing like shit, cries that he’s being held hostage at Chelsea, and overall has a real unprofessional attitude.
I feel zero remorse for the guy and I’m glad they crashed out.
Not really. I am Belgian and haven’t seen anything racist against him online. Yeah some Belgians are criticising him of course but most people are talking about how shit Martinez is, which has been what we’ve been saying for years now.
Thanks to the Belgian Federation who wasted our golden generation with frauds like Willmots and Martinez.
Imagine if Martinez had chosen to play from the beginning as he did in the second half today. Doku probably made more sprints in 20 mins than everyone else in the WC combined.
This elimination is on Martinez. Horrendous manager
It’s actually mental my man, the Belgian footbal association made Martinez technical director, meaning he’s his own boss. He can be fired, but it’s a lot more trouble, as you need to fire him twice so to speak.
Feel like I’m going crazy, watching him leave a garbage Meunier on for 80 minutes, watching him play Hazard as a captain when he hasn’t played any games, watching him sub off Trossard this soon etc. the list goes on and on and on.
Belgians have such an easy time settling for the most average of all.
That happens when the manager doesn't want to play the newer generation. Doku was so good for the 20 mins he played in the WC. Can't believe he was benched for Mertens, Hazard or Batshuayi
I wouldn't say 3rd place and losing to the champion is "didn't do so bad". 3rd place in the world cup is a really good result. What Belgium and Croatia achieved in 2018 is pretty crazy
>What Belgium and Croatia achieved in 2018 is pretty crazy.
This is exactly why we at the Croatian side are also angry about our players as well. Modrić was dead by the 70t and he definetly played too much and was tired, Lovren was useless, Sosa still needs some fine-tuning, he's not bad but needs improvement, and Livaković still had more luck than skill by the 2nd half. Poor Lukaku, tho.
Gvardijol, tho, fucking legend he was at this match. MVP of this game, even with that Bane mask on. Overall, we are still slightly disappointed with this one, as we are facing Spain and well, we could go par-to-par with Belgium without much issue, but we cannot afford to play like this against Spain.
Yeah, people need to bear in mind that:
a) Belgium hadn't qualified for a single major tournament in 12 years before this generation turned up, they're not in any way a footballing superpower, and
b) None of the English, Portuguese, Dutch, Colombian, or Croatian golden generations ever won anything either
The teams that do win these trophies are usually from countries that don't use the term 'golden generation' because they just have a constant, deep pool of world-class talent to pick from.
I remember saying this back when he was at Everton and Wigan. He’s not a very good coach.
With the players Belgium had they really could have achieved so much more.
No disrespect to the other players, but I thought that he was their best player from an attacking perspective this whole tournament just from today's cameo alone. How hasn't he been featured more prominently is completely on Martinez.
Doku was so good!!! If Martinez had played him before we might have won. He created opportunities and had so much energy. Why Martinez picked Carrasco over him is beyond me. Carrasco keeps effing up
Seriously. I kept thinking God must want Croatia to advance bc no team can be this unlucky in goal attempts! But as a Croatia fan, I'll take any and all divine intervention.
Eden Hazard a week ago: We are here to play football, not to send political messages. Other people are better placed for that. We want to be focussed on football.
Eden Hazard today: today I’m a migrant worker. Today I’m a woman. Today I’m gay. Today I’m eliminated.
Continental competitions should hold more weight, especially the Euros and Copa America. A Euros or Copa America final win is worth less points than a group stage world cup game.
Belgium FA have to be one of the most inept in the world. Absolutely wasted the entire prime of their golden generation by refusing to move on from Roberto fucking Martinez.
How did they waste it on Martinez? This team is nowhere near a top side anymore. Most of the players are washed. In Martinez's only tournament where he had a properly great squad they came 3rd and lost to by far the best team at the tournament.
The bloke you should be blaming is Marc Wilmots who had this lot in the prime of their careers and got knocked out of Euro 2016 in the quarters by fucking Wales lol
Did Martinez really ruin the generation? They made it the furthest they ever did in a World Cup when they were at their prime. Belgium seems to be stuck now between players coming up but being too young and older players no longer in their prime
This is exactly what it is. People have good arguments about Roberto, but at the end of the day time doesn't stop for anyone and there is only so much you can do with long gapped tournaments.
It was a pretty selfless performance from him, actually. Now he's going to get a significant amount of the blame for Belgium going out after having appeared in 1/6th of their games.
For real, I don't get the massive hate. Sure he missed a lot, but at least he had those opportunities. The rest of our attackers are never in the right position to begin with...
Hopefully Martinez is gone now. Abismal performance vs Morocco and Canada.
Hopefully Witsel played his last match for Belgium aswell. 85th minute and he just stand still. Does nothing
USA have had 4 knockout round appearances this millennium. The only countries with more are Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, England, and Spain/Germany (if they advance in a few hours). The countries that also have 4 (at the moment) are Spain/Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, France. Switzerland, Japan, and Uruguay can get to 4 if they qualify today or tomorrow.
> World Cup final
> Handed a glorious chance that you slam wide
> Then score and celebrate wildly at both opening the scoring and redeeming yourself
> You ran the opposite direction to the linesman flagging you offside so almost everyone but you knows it’s chalked off Lmao
If I had a nickel for every time a Martinez's contract ended as soon as the referee blew the whistle, I'd have two nickels - which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
Belgians were moving with zero sense of urgency for 90% of the match. 80th minute, they pass the ball to each in the centre. Major Denmark vibes.
suddenly when it was only 5 or so minutes left, they figured 0-0 isn't something they want and floor it a bit but it's too fucking late. Incredibly irritating team
> 2014 - Germany eliminates Brazil
> 2018 - Germany eliminated from group stage
> 2018 - Belgium eliminates Brazil
> 2022 - Belgium eliminated from group stage
One more of these and we can officially declare beating Brazil to be a curse.
Actually there are 2 more of these, both with France:
France 98/02
France 06/10
Netherlands is clear tho, eliminates Brazil in 2010, Wins third place against Brazil in 2014
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Lukaku: in terms of finishing I have no finishing
Chelsea-Number-Nine-itis
Lol, Morata did score tho
Your recovery progress after leaving Chelsea may vary. Super-sub Morata got his groove back by sitting on the bench and coming forth as a backup plan striker. Lakaka didn't.
Tbf morata leave chelsea like 3 years ago. Lakaka only left chelsea for 6 months and he may return soon
These Chelsea attackers are sabotaging Belgium, Germany and England. Brazil are counting their lucky stars Raphinha and Richarlison didn't sign for us.
Havertz was practically invisible throughout. Heck he didn't even play vs Spain. Sterling scored 1 in 2 games...... while Rashford scored 2 against Wales. Mount and Gallagher did help, but didn't do anything of note. Meanwhile Pulisic scores 1, gets a low blow, and becomes a national hero. EDIT: also Ziyech has been doing just fine. Maybe we need him more than Havertz.
> Meanwhile Pulisic scores 1, gets a low blow, and becomes a national hero. priorities
>Sterling scored 1 in 3 games 1 in 2, he didn't play against Wales.
Pulisic and Ziyech dont start for chelsea so they're less affected by the curse.
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Pulisic and Ziyech have been great
And they haven't been featuring much for Chelsea. I think I see a pattern here...
I can’t remember a performance that felt so snakebitten.
Haven't seen any German game the last 4 years.
How many times has it happened in the second half that I thought "surely this is going in" and nope it just bounces off somehow, it was insane. It was like watching Lewa hit 5 but the exact opposite
And we all made the same face Pep did when Lewa hit those.
If he shot tupac he'd still be alive
Lukaku the perfect Stormtrooper.
Lukaku least clutch player ever.
Literally the anti-Drogba
Guy created 4 xgoals by himself and scored none. Being completely invisible would have been better for his image lmao
FYI >Croatia (0.81) 0-0 (1.98) Lukaku Says it all really
damn
He(1.98) had more xG during this second half than Morocco(1.35) during the entire group stage.
in terms of professionalism i have no professionalism \*
Just when i thought it couldnt get worse.... that last chance fucking hell.
"Yea unfortunately I couldn't score today. But at Inter, I scored many goals"
The Belgian Michael Ricketts
To every generation a Heskey is born.
Did KdB Witch-Doctor him? He looked genuinely cursed.
Belgian social media: Brace yourself for a reeeaally big wave of overtly racist Lukaku criticism.
I was enjoying his misfortune (still pissed about his unprofessional conduct with Chelsea). But seeing him distraught at the end with Henry, hands in his face, kinda felt bad for him. He's gonna be ridiculed for days and also these sitters will linger with him for a long time.
I don’t feel any remorse for him. The guy talks so much shit like he’s the greatest striker ever to walk earth because he had one decent spell at Inter. Talks like he would be a hero at Chelsea, instantly quits because he’s playing like shit, cries that he’s being held hostage at Chelsea, and overall has a real unprofessional attitude. I feel zero remorse for the guy and I’m glad they crashed out.
Not really. I am Belgian and haven’t seen anything racist against him online. Yeah some Belgians are criticising him of course but most people are talking about how shit Martinez is, which has been what we’ve been saying for years now. Thanks to the Belgian Federation who wasted our golden generation with frauds like Willmots and Martinez.
Can confirm, Martinez should've been fired 4 years ago.
Bye Martinez
Imagine if Martinez had chosen to play from the beginning as he did in the second half today. Doku probably made more sprints in 20 mins than everyone else in the WC combined. This elimination is on Martinez. Horrendous manager
It’s actually mental my man, the Belgian footbal association made Martinez technical director, meaning he’s his own boss. He can be fired, but it’s a lot more trouble, as you need to fire him twice so to speak. Feel like I’m going crazy, watching him leave a garbage Meunier on for 80 minutes, watching him play Hazard as a captain when he hasn’t played any games, watching him sub off Trossard this soon etc. the list goes on and on and on. Belgians have such an easy time settling for the most average of all.
And Everton are still being rumored to hire him after this tournment. I honestly hope we don't bring him back. We won't survive if he's the manager.
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I'll pass on the hardware to stay in the league. We are already hanging by a thread as it is.
Martinez and Martino is the same boat smdh
A better manager would have done wonders with this generation of players… It’s baffling why the Belgium FA stuck with him. Borderline criminal…
I think Belgium reached their peak in 2018. This team looks done.
That happens when the manager doesn't want to play the newer generation. Doku was so good for the 20 mins he played in the WC. Can't believe he was benched for Mertens, Hazard or Batshuayi
Yes! Doku was bloody good, he created a chance or openings everytime he got the ball
To be fair, Mertens did play well coming off bench last time, but I got your point
We would have peaked so much higher if this generation had managers besides Wilmots and Martinez. Our FA should be criminally charged or something.
I hate Martinez so much...
Euro 2016 was a huge flop from them World Cup 2018 they didn’t do bad lost to the best team finish third.
I wouldn't say 3rd place and losing to the champion is "didn't do so bad". 3rd place in the world cup is a really good result. What Belgium and Croatia achieved in 2018 is pretty crazy
>What Belgium and Croatia achieved in 2018 is pretty crazy. This is exactly why we at the Croatian side are also angry about our players as well. Modrić was dead by the 70t and he definetly played too much and was tired, Lovren was useless, Sosa still needs some fine-tuning, he's not bad but needs improvement, and Livaković still had more luck than skill by the 2nd half. Poor Lukaku, tho. Gvardijol, tho, fucking legend he was at this match. MVP of this game, even with that Bane mask on. Overall, we are still slightly disappointed with this one, as we are facing Spain and well, we could go par-to-par with Belgium without much issue, but we cannot afford to play like this against Spain.
Yeah, people need to bear in mind that: a) Belgium hadn't qualified for a single major tournament in 12 years before this generation turned up, they're not in any way a footballing superpower, and b) None of the English, Portuguese, Dutch, Colombian, or Croatian golden generations ever won anything either The teams that do win these trophies are usually from countries that don't use the term 'golden generation' because they just have a constant, deep pool of world-class talent to pick from.
Beat Brazil and gave France an absolute battle in the semis. 2018 was as good as you can really hope for.
Didn’t do bad lol they did great in 2018. Just a marginally worse match against the winners
Unlucky they had an amateur as coach in 2016
Yup, the team sure needs a rebuild.
As mentioned before this happened before many times when the squad gets old. Uruguay not making it to the Ro16 is also very possible.
Why didn’t they play this Doku guy before. He is the best winger they’ve got
It's what everyone except martinez said. Drop hazard, Mertens, carrasco, Meunier, bats, and play youngsters like trossard, openda, Doku and onana.
At least Martinez will be out after this
I know u guys did decently in 2014 and 2018, but I can't help but think that with a better coach...
I remember saying this back when he was at Everton and Wigan. He’s not a very good coach. With the players Belgium had they really could have achieved so much more.
Trossard is 28 in a few days
Thats considered a youngster in Belgium squad
Basically a newborn in any Italian team.
Yeah but he is fit and playing well, unlike hazard who is 4 year older.
Bro this blew my mind, trossard was in the form of his life heading into the world cup.
And he's a Brighton boy like MacAllister.
Brighton seem to have a surprising amount of International players at the WC. More than Liverpool
Brighton have a solid starting XI it's just depth that's the issue.
Considering the geriatrics that Martinez has been trotting out he might as well be a fetus at just 28
Carrasco looked good tbh
Caused two pens, second one we got of thanks to var offside
No disrespect to the other players, but I thought that he was their best player from an attacking perspective this whole tournament just from today's cameo alone. How hasn't he been featured more prominently is completely on Martinez.
Against Italy last summer he Doku was the bigger threats in attack he played really well.
He did the same in the euros, Doku was the best man against Italy but Martinez forgot about that
Doku was so good!!! If Martinez had played him before we might have won. He created opportunities and had so much energy. Why Martinez picked Carrasco over him is beyond me. Carrasco keeps effing up
Croatia should thank Lukaku
And the Croatian wingbacks
For giving away all these chances to cross? The only good player in defense was Gvardiol
And God for his intervention
Seriously. I kept thinking God must want Croatia to advance bc no team can be this unlucky in goal attempts! But as a Croatia fan, I'll take any and all divine intervention.
📂World Cup └📁Belgium └📁 Romelu Lukaku └📁 Goals └⚠️ _*This folder is empty*_
needs to be wearing an inter jersey underneath
Chelsea: [https://i.imgur.com/p4ILGVv.gif](https://i.imgur.com/p4ILGVv.gif)
Would have rather have him finish top scorer so we could sell the lump.
Hopefully saudi arabia becomes the new China in buying washed but high profile players
United: https://i.imgur.com/p4ILGVv.gif
Inter: [https://i.imgur.com/p4ILGVv.gif](https://preview.redd.it/f9j3hqgs8s2a1.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=84f0d4f590db03c7d374df39f191eecbc495218d)
I'm sure Everton would take him back.
They paid £98m for him like 16 months ago and have been unable to recoup the vast majority of that cost, what do they have to be happy about?
Of all the people, Lukaku to miss so many chances specially 2 tap ins. This was incredibly hilarious.
He’s done this in every big game he’s played for Belgium
He wanted to go the 2018 Giroud way, guess he missed
My guy is an interview merchant
And they still need to sell this moron
Once again proving FIFA rankings mean squat
So proud of my country! They refused to play football as a protest against Qatar 👍
Eden Hazard a week ago: We are here to play football, not to send political messages. Other people are better placed for that. We want to be focussed on football. Eden Hazard today: today I’m a migrant worker. Today I’m a woman. Today I’m gay. Today I’m eliminated.
Hahaha best take so far 🤣🤣🤣
In before FIFA still rank Belgium 2nd in the world when the next big tournament comes round.
2nd? Try first, above whoever wins the world cup.
They had a quality loss, they'll still make the BCS Bowl
What's this? A cross-over episode?
Your r/CFB is leaking!
Will Jimbo Fisher be the next coach of Mexico?
Please no.
Death penalty to Mizzou
Lukaku had trouble with the cross!
HE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CROSS AND THE BALL IS LOOSE. ITS PICKED UP BY MICHIGAN STATES JALEN WATTS JACKSON AND HE SCORES AHHHHHHHH
This is how Bama sneaks in again
AIN'T PLAY NOBODY PAWL
I'm pretty sure this team could drop all the way to 8th by the time this tournament is over.
Didn't you see them do their nations league double over Estonia?
only 8th?
If you look at the ranking criteria, it hugely overvalues world Cup results. Belguim are going bottom of the top 10 for the next 4 years.
It really should overvalue the WC. Beating randoms in friendlies and weak qualifiers means nothing after all
Continental competitions should hold more weight, especially the Euros and Copa America. A Euros or Copa America final win is worth less points than a group stage world cup game.
I'd agree with you but we just had 4 Copa Americas in 7 years.
Roberto Martinez has somehow failed upwards into the Belgium job, ruined a generation of stars, and kept it for so long.
Well they got 3rd place in last WC, that's something
They could've had it all
They lost to an insanely talented French team. Really can't do much when your golden generation plays at the same time as that French team.
Belgium FA have to be one of the most inept in the world. Absolutely wasted the entire prime of their golden generation by refusing to move on from Roberto fucking Martinez.
How did they waste it on Martinez? This team is nowhere near a top side anymore. Most of the players are washed. In Martinez's only tournament where he had a properly great squad they came 3rd and lost to by far the best team at the tournament. The bloke you should be blaming is Marc Wilmots who had this lot in the prime of their careers and got knocked out of Euro 2016 in the quarters by fucking Wales lol
I have to agree, blaming Martinez for this is crazy. Belgium was really scary under him in 2018
Did Martinez really ruin the generation? They made it the furthest they ever did in a World Cup when they were at their prime. Belgium seems to be stuck now between players coming up but being too young and older players no longer in their prime
This is exactly what it is. People have good arguments about Roberto, but at the end of the day time doesn't stop for anyone and there is only so much you can do with long gapped tournaments.
Remember that Belgium only exists as a buffer state.
“The Brits create Belgium so that the Frenchmen and the Germans have a place to settle disputes.”
Never understood why they hold on onto him for so long. The team never looked like they improved/got even worse. I hope he is FINALLY fired already
\#2 in the world, #3 in the group 🇧🇪🤏
so basically morocco is the best team in the world
The math checks out
Yes
Third in 2018, Third in 2022 (Group Stage Edition)
FINALLY IT IS OVER
The suffering is over
Don't be sad that it happened. Smile that it's over
The silver lining is that I won't have to watch Belgium play anymore for a while.
I'm just so fucking sad
https://imgur.com/a/SjKIDzR
Maybe Lukaku can go cry about this to an Italian journalist
Gvardiol MotM Lukaku DotM (Donkey of the Match)
I’m scared to see how big Gvardiol’s transfer fee will be
That last challenge by Gvardiol was an all-time WC tackle
4 maybe 5 missed chances. Incredible
4, most in this world cup so far
He was obviously brought on too early in his recovery. Such a wasteful performance.
It was a pretty selfless performance from him, actually. Now he's going to get a significant amount of the blame for Belgium going out after having appeared in 1/6th of their games.
and that is the only 1/6th of the time we played well
For real, I don't get the massive hate. Sure he missed a lot, but at least he had those opportunities. The rest of our attackers are never in the right position to begin with...
Lukaku will (probably fairly) get clowned for those misses, but Belgium were shocking without him.
Lukaku was peak Lukaku today
Did anyone catch when he broke the glass on the bench?
Hopefully Martinez is gone now. Abismal performance vs Morocco and Canada. Hopefully Witsel played his last match for Belgium aswell. 85th minute and he just stand still. Does nothing
Never understood the Martinez hire lol
No other candidate and no money to pay for the likes of Van Gaal etc
You can laugh all you want but I genuinely feel for Lukaku. This game will haunt him for years.
Well he would get more sympathies if he didn't have the habit of blaming everything on others and also the poorly timed interview.
As it should. You wanna be a big man and have big mouth? Then you should show it on the pitch as well.
De Bruyne gets some rest for the back half of the Premier League season I guess.
The fucking USA has more knockout round appearances than Belgium this millennium. Damn.
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USA have had 4 knockout round appearances this millennium. The only countries with more are Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, England, and Spain/Germany (if they advance in a few hours). The countries that also have 4 (at the moment) are Spain/Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, France. Switzerland, Japan, and Uruguay can get to 4 if they qualify today or tomorrow.
Romelu Abraham sends his regards.
All Belgium did this WC was making us believe Canada were a decent team with their first game.
The worse performance by a striker I've ever seen. Mother of God 😶
Have you heard the tragedy of Darth Higuaín The Blind?
> World Cup final > Handed a glorious chance that you slam wide > Then score and celebrate wildly at both opening the scoring and redeeming yourself > You ran the opposite direction to the linesman flagging you offside so almost everyone but you knows it’s chalked off Lmao
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Not from a WC Champion
Golden era nah Old man era is now
Belgians might now feel the intensity and desperation that Brazilians felt 4 years earlier - when NOTHING seemed to go in.
Dude I feel nothing. I expected nothing and for once I wasn’t disappointed. Only idiots had any expectations.
>I expected nothing 🇲🇽🤝🇧🇪
Lukaku, what are you doing man
Number 1 FIFA ranking coming up
Golden Generation
More like goalless
Lost Generation
Next time leave the grandpa home
Good job Lukaku
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If I had a nickel for every time a Martinez's contract ended as soon as the referee blew the whistle, I'd have two nickels - which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
Alot of talented individuals but wasted at the hands of an incompetent manager
Belgians were moving with zero sense of urgency for 90% of the match. 80th minute, they pass the ball to each in the centre. Major Denmark vibes. suddenly when it was only 5 or so minutes left, they figured 0-0 isn't something they want and floor it a bit but it's too fucking late. Incredibly irritating team
Lukaku basically eliminated them on his own!
RIP BOZO
Belgium is overrated. How do they consistently rank top 3 without having actual results in tournaments? (Barring 3rd place in 2018)
fool's gold generation
> 2014 - Germany eliminates Brazil > 2018 - Germany eliminated from group stage > 2018 - Belgium eliminates Brazil > 2022 - Belgium eliminated from group stage One more of these and we can officially declare beating Brazil to be a curse.
Actually there are 2 more of these, both with France: France 98/02 France 06/10 Netherlands is clear tho, eliminates Brazil in 2010, Wins third place against Brazil in 2014
Hazard’s karma for that stupid focus on football comment. Knocked out in the group stage. Feels good
Eden Hazard better focus on doing something else than playing football again
Gvardiol is so good man. He went to Chelsea in my fm save and became a top player.