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Belgium boss quits after early exit

At a glance

The ball reached Romelu Lukaku right in front of goal with seconds remaining. Score, and he’d send Belgium into the round of 16 of the World Cup.

Somehow, Lukaku – Belgium’s record goal scorer recently back from injury – missed.

Belgium and their ageing generation of players were eliminated yesterday after a 0-0 draw with Croatia, who advanced as the second-place team in Group F behind Morocco.

Minutes after the game, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez announced he’d be leaving his role after more than six years – a decision he said he had reached before the World Cup started.

‘‘We could have won this game by three goals and we’d be walking away feeling very different,’’ Martinez said. ‘‘I thought [Lukaku] moved very well, got in great situations, and what was missing was the finish.

‘‘It was the difference between hitting the post and going in, and hitting the post and going out.’’

Belgium are facing the breakup of their talented but underachieving squad after failing to live up to their status as the second-ranked team and one of the tournament favourites.

What has long been called Belgium’s ‘‘Golden Generation’’ – now featuring six players with more than 100 appearances – is set to split with a World Cup semifinal appearance in 2018 as their peak.

The Red Devils, who have faced reports of infighting and divisions between players in Qatar, scored only one goal in three games and saved their best performance until their final match. It came too late.

Sport

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2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282295324225373

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