The team has lost three games in a row. Belgium, which once ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings, is on the verge of collapse.
Belgium lost 0-1 to Israel, ranked 81st in FIFA, in the sixth round of Group A of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) Group A held in Budapest, Hungary, on the 18th (Korea time).
Belgium now trails France and Italy in Israel to advance to the relegation play-off. The team’s overall performance is tied with Israel with one win, one draw and four losses, with a score point of 4. Israel has been leading the winner in goal difference and barely maintained its third place. Israel was demoted to League B by a slight margin.
Belgium, which could have been demoted directly if it lost the match, had Royce Oppenda, Leandro Trossar, and Dodi Luquevaccio to score at the Israeli goal. Early on, the team was in good spirits. By making consecutive shots, the team sought the first goal.
However, the team lacked decisive power. Trossar’s shot in the 17th minute of the first half was also blocked. Rather, Israel hit the post, sending shockwaves throughout Belgium. For Belgium, Trossar was replaced by an injury at the end of the first half.
Belgium continued its frustrating trend in the second half, but ended up getting a shot. Yarden Joshua scored the first goal with a right footed shot at the net in the 41st minute of the second half. Belgium wanted to equalize by taking out the remaining replacement cards, but failed to achieve its goal. The game ended with a surprise victory for 비아마켓.
It is literally a shocking collapse. Belgium was a strong team that topped the FIFA rankings in 2015 and 2022. With Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertons, and Thibaut Courtois at the center, they showed off their competitive edge by forming a golden generation.
However, the team failed to produce performances worthy of its name. Except for the third place finisher at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, all of them shook their heads. The team was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the UEFA Euro 2020, and failed to pass the group stage at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Belgium is the only team that has failed to win a major trophy even after clinching the top spot in the FIFA rankings.
Belgium broke up with Roberto Martinez after the Qatar World Cup and sought to usher in a new era under Domenico Tedesco. Most of the golden generation of players have also retired.
Belgium still has a long way to go, however. As Courtois fought with Lukaku for the captaincy, internal discord arose, and he even made a bombshell announcement that he would not join the national team as long as Tedesco is present. Eventually, Belgium did a poor job at the Euro 2024 and packed its bags early on in the round of 16. Now, the team is on its knees even against Israel, and is on a crash course.