Belgian national team had to experience its own "deja vu" on Tuesday, writes lrt.lt
In the quarterfinal match against Brazil, who sent shockwaves of euphoria, the "Red Devils" stifled the powerful attack of the "Selecao" and exploited the gaps that appeared in defense. The Belgians found themselves in the role of dominating the game on the green field, but heads hanging down in the dressing room after the final whistle of the referee.
The start didn't promise anything bad. It also didn't promise anything good. Especially for the fans. The crowd gathered densely in the stadium and around it before the match, at first didn't understand where they ended up. The sluggish game didn't remind anyone that two teams filled with amazing talents were fighting for a spot in the World Cup final.
However, as the Belgians gradually got into the game and created attack after attack, Marouane Fellaini simply dominated in the penalty area of "Les Bleus." His presence seemed to be everywhere. And one of his main tasks was crucial – to watch over the engine of French attacks and his team-mate at "Manchester United" team, Paul Pogba.
"P. Pogba played like a monster. M. Fellaini was watching him, so he had fewer opportunities. (...) However, he knew what to do, almost didn't waste any chances. He did everything very well. He 'grew' in the team, he knew what to do," - said the very happy "Les Bleus" coach Didier Deschamps at the press conference after the match.
He definitely has many reasons to be happy. Having triumphed in the 1998 World Cup held in their country, he managed to lead his team to the final in Russia this time. However, the coach's shoulders are also burdened with unpleasant memories. Two years ago, he lost one final that determined the crown of European champions.
And that painful memory, when the fields of Elysium from the hopeful French team dreaming of victories did not turn blue, as the coach himself acknowledged, was an additional motivation for his team.
"We wanted to rehabilitate ourselves after the unsuccessful final in the European Championship. We wanted to make the French happy. (...) They, the players, are actors, they do everything. Who before the championship could believe that we would play in the final. We will try to be on the right side this time, to win the final," promised the 49-year-old strategist.
Despite thoughts of a happier ending on Tuesday evening, not everyone thought of it. Everything will still need to be proven. And it can be difficult to overcome the English or Croatian gameplay obstacles. Although the French were called the favorites of the first semifinal, until the goal by Samuel Umtiti changed everything after 32 years, you couldn't tell which team had more chances to reach the longed-for final. By the way, M. Fellaini didn't defend then.
As coach Roberto Martinez of the "Red Devils" admitted after the match, it was precisely the first accurate shot that changed the course of the game. The teams had very different roles – France counterattacked, and Belgium had ball control, which reached 68 percent, and after the goal, more paths opened towards the opponents' goal for the French, and the Belgians more often tried hurriedly with high passes into the penalty area. But the defense of "Les Bleus" worked perfectly here. N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard, who had been raging in the championship, just disappeared on the field.
Even Moussa Dembele, who stood out for his ironclad defense in the game, did not shine, and was replaced by Dries Mertens refreshing the Belgian attacks after an hour of play. However, R. Martinez was very categorical - according to him, M. Dembele, who created attacks, was very useful to the team.
In the match marked by the iron defense, the star Kylian Mbappe, who contributed a lot to Argentina's crash in the match, did not sparkle conspicuously, which was highlighted by R. Martinez. However, the Frenchman still, despite the watching eyes, had opportunities, and even moving without the ball forced the opponents to run around him.
But that's history now. Coaches will talk about mistakes, and Belgium, reaching the semifinal after a 32-year break, will mourn only until Saturday, when they will face the other semifinal loser for the third place match in the same St. Petersburg stadium. The fans of this national team have already awarded them the highest quality medals in the group stage, but now they will have to settle for nothing but bronze, at best. However, R. Martinez still found plenty to be pleased about.
"We focused on reaching the final, so the mood was somber in the dressing room. (...) We wanted to play 7 matches in the tournament, and we did it. The players deserve to end the championship on a good note," said R. Martinez.
The Belgium team he coaches has grown into the "black horses" of the tournament and will rightfully be considered one of the favorites for the next championship. Just like France, whose 14 players participated in the World Cup for the first time this year. The only thing is evident – these two teams are on the right path.
lrt.lt
