Belgium, France in head-on clash both battling first round blues

Author: Reuters

By this stage of the European Championship, favourites France and contenders Belgium would have wanted to be well into their stride and hitting their straps as they enter the knockout stages.

Instead, the neighbours go spluttering into the last 16 and into a head-on collision in Duesseldorf on Monday after both failed to finish top of their first-round group.

France´s much-vaunted attack is suffering from a crisis of confidence and coach Didier Deschamps, usually a steady hand guiding the squad, looks unsure of what his next move will be. Belgium will have had some motivation sucked out of their cause following an astonishingly hostile reaction from their own supporters after they limped into the next stage of the tournament in Germany.

Despite Wednesday´s draw with Ukraine assuring them progress, they were subjected to loud barracking from their fans and have since closed ranks.

Captain Kevin De Bruyne did not take kindly to the abuse. His attitude and demeanour will set the tone for the rest of the Belgian side as they look to leave behind them the limp performances from the group stage. Romelu Lukaku needs to find his scoring touch after a number of missed opportunities in the tournament.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Pakistan

Authorities directed to finalize all arrangements for Monsoon

The Commissioner of Rawalpindi Division, Engineer Aamir Khattak, has directed the relevant authorities to finalize…

19 mins ago
  • Pakistan

Digital farming imperative to re-vitalize agricultural growth

With the global agricultural economies rapidly transforming to digitalization, sustenance for developing economies is becoming…

22 mins ago
  • Pakistan

Four policemen die in road accident in Kandhkot

Four policemen were killed while three were injured when a police mobile van overturned on…

22 mins ago
  • Pakistan

Pattoki gas cylinder blast death toll rises to four

Death toll from gas cylinder blast during refilling in Pattoki has risen to four as…

23 mins ago
  • Pakistan

UN chief lauds ‘strong’ new recommendations to limit proliferation of small arms

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the adoption of a “strong outcome document” at the end…

25 mins ago
  • World

American and British voters share deep roots. In 2024, they distrust their own leaders, too

Distrust has settled over the campaign trails in the United States and United Kingdom ahead…

4 hours ago