Belgium lost 4-1 at the Stade de France. But for seventy-seven minutes, they were winning. I want that on the record somewhere.
In the 35th minute according to RMC Sport, Roméo Lavia sends a long ball that opens up the French defence, and Dodi Lukebakio scores. I wrote in the WhatsApp group “Sunday Devils”: that’s historic, I’m weighing my words. Without De Bruyne and Tielemans, both suspended, with Maarten Vandevoordt playing his first match in goal. A generation had just been born on my sofa.
In the 77th, Désiré Doué equalises with a shot from the edge of the box. Four minutes later, Rayan Cherki puts France ahead from a cut-back by Michael Olise. Then Olise scores in the 88th, and again in added time. Four goals in 14 minutes. I wrote: that’s a disgrace, I’m weighing my words. My brother-in-law gave a thumbs-up. I removed him from the group, then added him back, that’s family.
So, in one match: historic and a disgrace. My thermometer didn’t break, it did both one after the other, like a contrast shower.
Nathan Ngoy told Sporza, the Flemish broadcaster, that things have to change, “because 4-1 is not normal”. I agree with him. He added that sitting back too much had left them with a sour taste. Timothy Castagne told VTM, the Flemish channel, that dropping so deep was not the coach’s plan, he wanted us to keep pressing. Ngoy also ruled out tiredness after four matches in a short space of time. Me, I would have taken that excuse. It was right there, all clean.
Leading 1-0 and finishing at 4-1. In 1980, they would at least have waited until the end to collapse. Ah no. That’s what they did.
In Group A1, France are three points clear of Italy and we are still one point behind Italy. Ngoy reminded everyone that there are two matches left and that they have to be won. Two wins would be historic. Well, not bad. Now we take it one game at a time, okay?
It’s true, we checked: The Guardian.
