Another poor showing at a major tournament has left the Belgium national team in crisis. There are lots of opportunities to bet online in Belgium but even the most sceptical of fans would not have put their money on this level of disappointment.
Despite the feel-good factor being well and truly gone for Belgium, based on a series of early exits, a squad containing the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku was expected to produce more at Euro 2024 in Germany.
After the so-called 'golden generation' of Belgian stars had peaked with a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, subsequent exits at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2020 and a shocking inability to get out of the group at Qatar 2022 had well and truly ripped the heart out of any goodwill towards the team.
Patience was thin and expectations were low going into Euro 2024, but fans still would have secretly hoped that this crop of players could produce a surprise or two. In a way, they did, but not in the way many would have hoped.
Belgium scrape through the group stage
The group stage campaign at Euro 2024 kicked off miserably as Belgium slumped to a 1-0 defeat against relative minnows Slovakia, courtesy of a goal by Ivan Schranz, who incidentally went on to score three goals and share the golden boot.
A 2-0 win over Romania in the second group game, courtesy of goals from Youri Tielemans and captain Kevin De Bruyne was more like it, but would prove to be the Belgians' only victory at the tournament.
A boring 0-0 against Ukraine in the final game was just about enough to see them finish second place and qualify for the second round from arguably the weakest group in the competition, a group which saw all four teams finish level on four points.
Last-16 exit to France the latest Belgian disappointment
The response to the group stage performance from fans was not a positive one. The team were roundly booed in Stuttgart by their own supporters, with captain Kevin De Bruyne leading the players away from applauding them, something which is almost unheard of.
The Man City star's reaction was reminiscent of the one Wayne Rooney gave when England received similar treatment at Euro 2016. As the players strolled off the pitch, there was a palpable feeling of discontent and bitterness from the players on the pitch and the fans in the stand.
Going into their last-16 clash with France, things couldn't have felt any worse for Belgium. That was until an 85th-minute own goal from stalwart centre-back Jan Vertonghen sealed their fate. A 1-0 loss to France and the agony was over.
Belgium's Euro 2024 in numbers
Of the four games they played, Belgium managed to score in just one of them, racking up two goals against Romania. Slovakia, Ukraine and France all successfully shut them out.
They were at least solid at the back, picking up clean sheets against Romania and Ukraine, and conceding just two goals, one apiece against Slovakia and France.
They lost to one of the most successful national teams in recent years, which is some defence.
What's next for Belgium's big names?
There has been some speculation that despite being only 33 and undoubtedly Belgium's best player, Kevin De Bruyne may be about to turn his back on international football.
Jan Vertonghen has officially retired from representing Belgium. Some would say this was overdue.
Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard, Romelu Lukaku and other big-name stars are likely to continue.
However, the future of the team lies with the young and promising talent coming through the ranks. Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku, Everton midfielder Amadou Onana and RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda.
UEFA Nations League awaits for Belgium
Coach Domenico Tedesco has little time to rest before he attempts a much-needed rebuild on this Belgium squad. Many fans will be calling for him to cast aside the final vestiges of the 'golden generation' and forge a new path with young, hungry talent.
UEFA Nations League games against Israel, France and Italy in the autumn could provide the ultimate proving ground for the likes of PSV Eindhoven winger Yohan Bakayoko, Atalanta midfielder Charles De Ketelaere and Sporting Lisbon centre-back Zeno Debast.
After a disastrous Euro 2024 campaign, the latest in a string of disappointments for Belgium, it is essential that Tedesco goes back to the drawing board, and takes a more 'out with the old, in with the new' approach in the next two years.
Only then can Belgium hope to return to some kind of glory come the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
