Fans and former players have reacted with frustration to Belgium’s performance so far in Euro 2024, following a 0-0 draw against Ukraine in the final group match. The point was enough for the Red Devils to finish second in the pool and qualify for the knockout stage of the competition, but the team have not lived up to expectations. They now face a tough last-16 match against France on Monday.
Fans frustrated with performance as Belgium make it to Euro 2024 knockout stage
Sally Tipper
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With Belgium, Ukraine, Romania and Slovakia starting the day on three points, top spot in Group E was up for grabs, but a lacklustre Belgium were unable to seize the opportunity and faced several nervous moments against Ukraine.
Coach Domenico Tedesco made conservative substitutions and his team seemed afraid of losing the match in Stuttgart. Fans reacted by booing and whistling at the end of the match and captain Kevin De Bruyne sent the entire squad to the dressing room without acknowledging the travelling supporters.
At the post-match press conference, Tedesco said he was surprised by the reaction. “I did not expect this. It was important for us to make it to the next round,” he said. “Do I have a message for the supporters after the whistling concert? No, we need our fans. So it was a big surprise for me that they whistled. Again: we need each other.”
We had the easiest group and assumed we would get nine points out of nine
“This way it will be very difficult,” said former Belgium defender Imke Courtois. “We had the easiest group and assumed we would get nine points out of nine. Then when you only take four points, score twice, and there are some question marks over Tedesco’s choices ... Yes, then you do worry about the way forward.”
Romania won Group E after a 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who began the competition with a surprise 1-0 victory over Belgium. The Red Devils now play France, who have also not lived up to expectations, finishing second in their group behind Austria. The winners of that match will then face either Slovenia or Portugal, who suffered a shock defeat to Georgia on Wednesday night.