Netherlands - Belgium: Red Devils' golden generation making way for a new silver one

10 years is about enough time to give a generation to reach their potential and cement their place in history by securing some silverware. Unfortunately for Belgium, it hasn't happened despite the crop of hyper-talented players that began to emerge a decade or so ago, their most promising generation of footballers ever.

They have played in four major tournaments in the period since and have largely hovered at, or near the top of FIFA’s world rankings throughout. However, the closest they got to a final was their third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup. 

All the golden boys have mustered up so far is a solitary bronze.

That’s not to say it’s been a complete failure but it's been underwhelming, for sure.  

With the core group of players ageing, it has prompted many to wonder - is this the end of the line for the golden generation? And, as a new crop of young Belgian footballers edge their way into manager Roberto Martinez's plans, what of the next generation?

Are they golden, silver, or is it to be merely more bronze for the Belgians going forward?

The Past

As mentioned, the core group of Belgium’s golden generation have now featured in four major tournaments, and the upcoming World Cup in Qatar could well be the last before a larger changing of the guard takes place.

Going over their tournament record in that period, it's a history of near misses, always being the almost-men. Their outings at those tournaments and their, at times, scintillating football have often been undone by the narrowest of margins and the most heroic of performances.

In 2014, they exited the World Cup in the quarterfinals stage at the hands of Argentina thanks to an early goal courtesy of Gonzalo Higuain and then in 2016, they were bundled out of the Euros by an unfancied and utterly inspired Wales thanks largely to that goal by Hal Robson-Kanu.

More recently in Russia in 2018, they went the furthest they have ever gone as a nation at a World Cup by beating England to third place. That was after having lost to eventual winners France in the semis in a game which could easily have fallen their way. Their performances at the last World Cup broadly impressed experts and fans alike, as they knocked Brazil out at the quarterfinal stage and beat England twice in the tournament.

Last year, in the COVID-delayed Euro 2020, they were sent home in the quarterfinals once again by winners-to-be Italy. It was another instance of a near miss for the ‘Red Devils’. And another case of being edged out of a major tournament by a more wily and disciplined opponent despite being, arguably, the better and more expansive team.

The Present 

This year's World Cup is probably the last hurrah for many of Belgium’s rapidly ageing golden generation. In fact, some of the key components of the original group have already departed. Vincent Kompany (36) and Thomas Vermaelen (36), who incidentally is now on the coaching staff, both retired within the last couple of years.  

Many of the core are still there but clearly past their best years. Long-trusted defenders Toby Alderweireld (33) and Jan Vertonghen (35) are surely on their last legs and if it weren’t for a dearth of talent testing their spots in the team, might not even be fancied for the upcoming World Cup. Axel Witsel (33) and Dries Mertens (35), too, are both hanging in there but are well past their prime years.

In fact, with so many older players and some of the originals long gone, it could be argued that this Belgium team is already in the midst of a new generation. It is, at least, a team in transition, bridging from that great generation to the next. 

The likes of Thibaut Courtois (30), Kevin De Bruyne (31) and even Eden Hazard (31) are all still young enough to provide that bridge between the past and the future and should all hang around for while yet. What’s more, they are all world-class players who provide enough hope to maintain that a serious run at this year’s tournament in Qatar is not beyond aiming for. 

Romelu Lukaku (29), Divock Origi (27) (both inured this week), Youri Tielemans (25) and Yannick Carrasco (29) are also in or close to their prime professional years and, along with the aforementioned, provide a solid core to help usher in some new players and ease the pains of an inevitable generational transition.

The Future

For all the talk of their golden generation waning and departing, the future of Belgian football is far from dim. In fact, AC Milan’s duo of Belgians, Alexis Saelemaekers (23) and Charles De Ketelaere (21), provide eye-catching glimpses of what’s to come. Amadou Onana (21), recently signed by Everton for €35million, and Rennes’ electric attacker Jeremy Doku (20) (also injured this week) are exciting talents as well.

Really, it seems that the production line of talent never completely stopped providing reasons to believe that Belgium will be a force for some time. However, it must be said, the current generation isn’t quite as glittering as the one that exploded onto the scene those 10 years ago. 

Defensively, the Belgians have struggled to produce top-class players to replace Alderweireld and Vertonghen, as mentioned. But they possess a trove of interesting options at wingback - key for Martinez’s preferred system - classy operators in midfield and some thrilling forwards, both established and emerging. 

The new generation might not be quite up to the mark of the golden vintage of old but you could fairly say that a silver generation is emerging in Belgium.

They entered the World Cup group draw as the second seed - the second-best team globally according to FIFA’s rankings. They probably aren’t as good as that on current form but by landing in Group F with Croatia, Morocco and Canada, they should progress. It's not an easy group but the Belgians will be eyeing the deeper stages of the tournament yet again.

Bonze, silver or gold, they will surely be a team to keep an eye on in Qatar and one for the neutrals to enjoy thanks to their attacking style.

In the meantime, this evolving team faces more immediate tests in the Nations League this week. They face Wales at home tonight (September 22nd) and follow that up with an intimidating trip to their rivals, the Netherlands, on Sunday.

As mentioned, the Dutch handed the Red Devils a thrashing in June. Sunday's clash, our Top Match, promises to be another enthralling affair between two old enemies brimming with some new talent. 

Belgium are trailing the Netherlands in second place in the group standings of the Nations League by only three points. That means, apart from preparing for the looming World Cup and battling for local bragging rights, a place in the Nations League finals next summer is potentially also at stake this weekend in Amsterdam.

It is surely a golden chance for some of Belgium's new silver generation to shine.

Follow all the action from the UEFA Nations Lague on Flashscore.