The Devils Dilemma: A Match of Missed Opportunities
Hello, football fans and avowed masochists! Let’s dive into the riveting saga of our beloved Belgian Red Devils, who decided that scoring goals is merely a suggestion rather than a requirement. They put on a performance against France that was about ten times more entertaining than that limp affair at the European Championship. Let’s be honest; it was like watching an episode of *Fawlty Towers* — all the potential for hilarity but with a disaster waiting to unfold at every turn!
Our amiable (well, at least he tries to be) coach Domenico Tedesco seems to be auditioning for a role in a sitcom with his player choices. Zeno Debast at right back? Are we playing football or turning it into a highly experimental art installation? Maxim De Cuyper could only watch from the sidelines like the rest of us, questioning life choices and whether they’d ever see the pitch again. Doku was dancing on the right flank like he was on *Strictly Come Dancing*, but who needs to score when you can pirouette past defenders?
Attacking Trio Swings, But… Doesn’t Score
Ah, the attacking trio! They had the flair of a Broadway show but the finishing prowess of a toddler with a Nerf gun. After just 7 minutes, France’s left back was booked, which made you think, “Here we go! Time for a Red Devil tribute act!” But alas, attacking was not scoring. Doku and Trossard looked like they were ready to paint the town red, but instead, they painted us a lovely picture of “missed opportunities.”
Openda, bless his heart, was like the enthusiastic kid who storms into a candy store but can’t quite reach the top shelf. He was every bit the danger man, poking his head in the spaces behind France’s defenders. The opportunities were plenty, but finishing? It was woeful. I mean, if we had a penny for every time he missed an easy chance, we could probably afford to buy a proper striker!
Tielemans Misses Penalty
Then came the moment that had us collectively facepalming. Saliba, in a moment of clumsiness, took down Openda in the box. Penalty! Cue Your Highness, Tielemans. It felt like watching a magician at a children’s party—lots of excitement, but in the end… *poof* nothing! He ballooned it wide, and it felt like a sad clown at a birthday bash.
Ah, but France! Classic France; they spend most of the match sleeping only to awaken and strike when it matters. Faes slipped—oh the irony!—and with the ball touching his hand, VAR had to be summoned. Kolo Muani, in a shocking twist of fate, calmly slotted it in—and folks, that was a lesson in nerve and composure we could only dream of.
Vertonghen Curious
Only a minute before the half, though, our devils found a glimmer of hope. Castagne sent a beautiful cross, and Openda swooped in like the hero of an action movie to head it home. The ref tried to dim the glow with a flag, but VAR was on our side this time! Jan Vertonghen even posed a thought on Twitter about halftime analysis. Well, Jan, sometimes less is more; a strong half is lovely, but goals are better, no?
After the break, the French returned with a counterattack so deadly, you’d think they were armed to the teeth. Moments later, with a disallowed goal hanging precariously in the air, Kolo Muani popped up again. It was as if he were playing a video game on easy mode while we had the settings stuck on hard.
Jump-off No Longer Avoidable, Tedesco on Target
By now, Tedesco could probably be seen ripping up his notes in frustration. It’s like being the captain of the Titanic after hitting the iceberg; you know it’s over, but it hurts seeing it sink! We had our chances, but the French were like an impressive tightrope walker—always poised and rarely falling off.
So here we are, folks. The Devils are obliged to swap pleasantries (read: jump-offs) to stay in the A group of the Nations League. “Tedesco démission!” rang through the stadium at the end. But let’s be real—blaming the coach is as helpful as blaming the waiter for a bad meal. He can hardly eat the ball himself, can he?
In conclusion, the match was a fine day for a magic show, just not the kind wherein we pull goals out of hats. The Red Devils have some soul-searching to do, and while they may have spun a tantalizing yarn, they’ll need to knit a reality where scoring goals is as essential as breathing. Until then, we’ll keep watching and hoping… and maybe even laughing through the pain!
The Red Devils played a very good match against France. There was ten times more to see than that match at the European Championship. Unfortunately, they had to lose out again. And that shouldn’t have happened, but in modern football you just have to be efficient in both boxes. Hello barrages!
Domenico Tedesco acted normally this time, although he put Zeno Debast at right back again and Maxim De Cuyper had to settle for a place on the bench. Doku was also on the right, but there was definitely a plan behind that. Koundé had already made things difficult for him a few times and Digne had to suit him better.
Attacking trio swings, but… doesn’t score
That was also the case. After 7 minutes the left back had already received a yellow card. Doku did some damage. Just like Trossard on the other side. The two wing attackers regularly rolled up the defense, but scoring was not an option.
© photonews
Openda also played one of his best matches in the shirt of the national team. Always playable and very dangerous in space. He dove into the back of Saliba and Konaté. There were plenty of opportunities, but finishing was a problem. He certainly should have slotted in Doku’s cross.
Tielemans misses penalty
Until Saliba slipped and took down the Openda who had broken through. The VAR had to check whether it was offside, but it wasn’t. Tielemans behind the ball and… he shot the ball meters wide. Painful, because the Devils should always have rewarded themselves for that excellent half hour.
And France remains France. When they finally entered the box, Faes unfortunately slipped and fell with his hand on the ball. Also penalty and Kolo Muani – for the third time in three mutual matches in the last four months – apparently has slightly better nerves than Tielemans. Casteels had no chance.
It remains a regrettable conclusion that as a team we have had difficulty scoring in the last six months. That was also the biggest shortcoming at the European Championships. And solve that if your two most efficient players have canceled until the World Cup qualifiers start.
Vertonghen curious
But still… not everyone is able to make the defense of France suffer like this. And it paid off a minute before the break. Castagne swung a fantastic cross to the far post where Openda emerged like a devil from a box to head in. First flagged, but immediately corrected by the VAR.
It must have done him good. “Very curious about the analysis during half-time now,” Jan Vertonghen tweeted. Well, a strong half is nice every now and then, Jan. France, by the way, played the second half in a completely different way.
On the counter they started to hurt the Belgians a lot. Koné had a goal disallowed for a previous handball. But moments later the ball was back against Casteels’ net. Mangala lost the ball, Digne crossed and again Kolo Muani scored with his head.
Jump-off no longer avoidable, Tedesco on target
After a rush from Tielemans, Tchouaméni had to pull the emergency brake and France was up to ten. The Devils were better, but the Bleus defense was barely passable. And then there was always Maignan. What a goalkeeper too!
Anyway, Belgium deserved better, but did not reward itself. The mistakes at the back are paid in cash against top countries and if you need ten chances to score once… Then you can play as well as you want. And the national coach cannot do that this time.
The Devils will have to play jump-offs to stay in the A group of the Nations League. That is now almost certain. “Tedesco démission” sounded through the stadium at the end. Well… He can hardly kick them in himself.
