CAPELLO TRIPPED UP BY HAZARD
Belgium star Eden sets up late winner to nail Fabio’s Russians
Agolden age of Belgian football has been threatening to dawn and it did so brilliantly in the 88th minute of this dense struggle against the dark, growling Russian bear.
That blood-red sun is unlikely to reach its zenith here but this young team of so many talents are going where Roy’s Boys are not — to the last 16.
In two years’ time at the euros they should be championship contenders. And Belgium can hope their glittering light will stay high in the sky over Russia 2018.
They are very much a team for the future, more so than england. They will benefit hugely from qualifying for the knockout stages at Brazil 2014, mature faster and grow stronger from the experience.
If Russia are to go through with them, boss Fabio Capello will have to find a way for them to beat Algeria on Thursday. good luck, lads.
Belgium and Russia contested an absorbing match which came to the thrilling climax of that late winner. When manager Marc Wilmots decided he had seen enough of the disappointing Romelu lukaku he found his match-winner. Substitute divock origi blasted high into the net from eden Hazard’s brilliant run and low cross.
There was plenty for the folks back home in Blighty to cheer. As an antidote to the withdrawal symptoms being suffered by english football fans as Roy Hodgson’s men make ready to break camp and retreat from Rio, the Belgians came to the Maracana with 11 Premier league players.
Five started against Russia — one each from Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and everton. Six more were on the bench — two each from United and Spurs, one each from everton and liverpool.
Throw in Thibaut Courtois, who Jose Mourinho says will be back at Chelsea next season after three years on loan at Atletico Madrid, and that makes it a round dozen.
With only three of their 23-man squad based in their domestic league, Belgium are the most cosmopolitan team at Brazil 2014. In addition to those playing club football in england, they draw on players from leading clubs in Spain, germany, Italy, France, Portugal and Russia.
Belgium are the cuckoos of the world game, occupying the nests of others and plucking priceless experience for themselves. By contrast, every man in Russia’s squad plays in his homeland. The only odd bird here with them is their manager... our former and unlamented friend Signor Capello.
Whatever language he uses to address his new charges, be sure it is not Russian or english. nor Flemish. Joke all you like about this low Country but there is nothing boring about Belgian football.
Russia were playing not only to stay in the tournament but to promise that they will be able to compete in, as well as host, the next World Cup.
Belgium recalled Thomas Vermaelen for this outing in Rio, apparently en route from Arsenal to Manchester United. He looked as comfortable taking over from Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen at left back as he did at centre half in his
early days at the Emirates. In curious circumstances, Vermaelen and Vertonghen swapped bench-for-pitch places again after only half-an-hour. Vermaelen appeared to strain a knee during the warmup and the condition must have worsened in those 30 minutes.
Dries Mertens created most of the early trouble for Russia, escaping down the right to ply the goalmouth with awkward crosses, graze the outside of a post with one shot and float a clever chip wide.
Unabashed at picking up the game’s first yellow card, Denis Glushakov launched the cross which should have given Russia the lead a minute before half-time. Striker Aleksandr Kokorin held his head in his hands after nodding wide when unmarked with only Courtois to beat.
Lukaku, on loan at Everton from Chelsea last season, is looking out of his depth at this level and, as Russia began to take control, he was replaced by Origi 10 minutes after the break.
Belgium appeared to be fading. With the temperature climbing to the mid-80s it would be easy to blame the heat but Russia come from an even colder clime and were getting stronger.
Andrey Eshchenko, a substitute for Alexei Kozlov, brought a roar from the Russian fans with a fierce shot. But the effort drained them and Belgium found a second wind.
Another substitute, Kevin Mirallas, hit a post from a free-kick and Hazard fired wide from close in before setting up Origi and starting the Belgian beer-fest.