The Belgians have proven to be incredibly resilient; their national team dominated Europe and the world from the latter half of the last century. Their intelligent and tenacious style of play earned them the respect of the football world, and the nickname "Red Devils" has been used ever since. In this century, and especially in the last decade or so, Belgium has produced a golden generation that reached the number one spot in the FIFA rankings. Unfortunately, this top team has never won the European Championship and never reached the World Cup final. This year, that golden generation has passed its peak due to age. Many believe their trip to North America this summer is merely a retirement getaway, partly because Lukaku and De Bruyne have left the wealthy and competitive English Premier League to seek their final years as players in Italy...
Yet, along with Courtois, Witsel... and their younger teammates, they shone brightly, topping their group, and then staging a classic comeback to win 3-2 despite being 2-0 down against Senegal until the 85th minute. In the Round of 16, Belgium will face the USA. It can be said that the USA – representing a less developed football nation – doesn't have much history to rival Belgium, but this year they have truly become a formidable force. Their home advantage is a significant factor, but more importantly, the current generation of American players under coach Pochettino is a cohesive, well-balanced team with no shortage of talent. Not only players playing in Europe, but also players from the domestic MLS league, who are rapidly improving, have strived to raise the quality of the national team.
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| Lukaku reduced the deficit to 1-2 for Belgium in their 3-2 victory over Senegal in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup . Photo: AP |
After nearly a decade of failing to break the curse of losing every time they faced European teams, the US team finally knocked out Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 in the round of 16. Americans have been dreaming of the emergence of their first golden generation. The match between this dream golden generation of the US and a Belgian golden generation that has never faltered in the round of 8 will be truly anticipated, a battle between old and new, young and experienced.
The World Cup in North America has witnessed, and will continue to witness, the aspirations of American and African teams to compete on equal footing, even to overthrow the European powerhouses. The World Cup is multifaceted, colorful, and vibrant due to unexpected events. And this vibrant World Cup has stirred up life. Immediately after Paraguay's historic victory over Germany, the President of this South American country declared a national holiday. "Paraguay never gives up," the President wrote on social media, and that pride represents many football nations that have been and are constantly striving to improve. They may not yet be able to compete for the gold trophy, but the achievements of their golden generation are a source of happiness, a brilliant accomplishment on their journey of development, and a lesson in how to do football.
From another perspective, the achievements of later-developed football nations have forced football powerhouses to reconsider and rebuild their football potential in general, and their golden generations in particular. "German football must start over from the U.11 level," "German football has lost its identity," these heartfelt words from Matthaus and Klopp have been uttered. With roots and a foundation built upon facing the truth, the Germans will return.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/binh-luan-the-he-vang-1047506
