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Gareth Southgate’s clichés came out like a rat to illustrate the size of the peak that he felt England had just climbed.
“They are a superior team,” Southgate began; Then he referred to Belgium’s ability to cause problems, the quality they have with the ball. He talked about them asking questions, highlighted their technical ability and depth of the squad.
“The quality of the opponent we have played is the level we consistently aspire to,” concluded the England coach. Southgate had every reason to be satisfied, as it is not very often that the world’s number one team arrives in London and is sent packing quickly.
England deserved this victory; For his perseverance and determination and his refusal to sink in tough times, this was a significant feather in Southgate’s cap and the country’s biggest result since they defeated Spain 3-2 in Seville two years ago.
But … There has to be a ‘but’. England may have won this battle, but to win the war and usurp Belgium in the world rankings, there is a way to go. If you think this result means that Belgium’s hopes of winning the European Championship have waned, you should think again.
Roberto Martinez, Belgium’s head coach, may have screamed and screeched from the sidelines and scrunched up his face when those fluid movements on his side ended with no way out, but this wasn’t a night that would have worried him.
In the first half, especially, there were times when you felt like the red swarm was going to repeatedly sting England. There was a 25 minute period, during which they took the lead, which Belgium showed why they sit at the top of the standings.
“They made it difficult for us and we held on,” said Mason Mount, scorer of England’s decisive goal.
Everywhere you could see quality oozing: Yannick Carrasco had a goal disallowed, Thomas Castagne, Leicester’s summer signing, lunged forward threateningly while Romelu Lukaku looked like he could flatten England’s defense when he saw fit.
Lukaku divides opinions. Perhaps it was the way his career at Manchester United was so disappointing that has swayed opinions, but there’s no question that if you put it all together in one game, you could win a game without help.
Such is his physical strength and size, that he can gather momentum like a daredevil falling down a mountain. With a forward of his quality topping things off, one of Europe’s best No. 9s, Belgium would be a threat to everyone.
Then, of course, there is Kevin De Bruyne. Perhaps the Manchester City midfielder was not in his best physical condition, which could be explained by his replacement in the 72nd minute, but it still produced moments that took your breath away.
Take the pass to Carrasco, just before leaving. Passing actually makes it seem like a routine. This was artistic, a moment of beauty arched through England’s defense with the outside of her foot, smoothly and inexorably rolling a precise putt into a hole.
We know that De Bruyne is wonderful, we say it every week. But still, he never loses that ability to do something that makes you gasp during a match. He will be the best midfielder in the European Championship, so there is another string to the goal.
However, equally crucial in all this were those who were absent. Martinez was missing six key staff members – the Hazard brothers, Eden and Thorgen, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Dries Mertens and Thomas Vermaelen – and you can see the difference they would have made.
Belgium, remember, beat England, and comfortably beat, twice at the 2018 World Cup, a victory that secured them the bronze medal. The gap may have closed between nations, but has it closed enough to indicate that there will be a change next summer?
Therefore, the reaction of the Belgian players to the final whistle was revealing. There was no anger, just respectful hugs. If Belgium thought they were under threat, it wouldn’t have been so nice. England is still trying to catch up.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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