De Bruyne and Lukaku are criticized for being past their prime.

Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, two big names in Belgian football, are becoming the target of criticism following Manchester United's disappointing performance at the 2026 World Cup.

The Belgian team played unconvincingly. Photo: Reuters .

The 0-0 draw against Iran in the second match of Group G on the morning of June 22nd has put the Belgian national team in a difficult position. Coach Rudi Garcia's team has now gone through two consecutive draws at the 2026 World Cup , amidst lackluster performances from their star players who have failed to make a difference.

According to Opta , Belgium had 23 shots against Iran but failed to score. If we count from the last time a Belgian player scored at the World Cup (Michy Batshuayi scored against Canada in 2022), the European team has had a total of 69 shots in the finals without finding the net.

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Lukaku and De Bruyne were disappointing. Photo: Reuters .

On social media, many Belgian fans expressed their disappointment, arguing that the team's veteran pillars no longer held the same influence as before. De Bruyne was criticized for lacking creativity and no longer making a difference in midfield, while Lukaku continued to disappoint with his sluggishness and lack of finishing in front of goal.

The term "Golden Generation" has even been sarcastically rephrased as "Olden Generation" to describe a team that is gradually passing its peak. No one denies the legacy that De Bruyne and Lukaku have left for Belgian football. They remain major icons, the quintessential faces of the most successful period in the team's history. However, football is always a harsh and unpredictable game, and no player can defeat time.

If Belgium continues to disappoint in their final match against New Zealand, they risk ending their 2026 World Cup campaign with one of the most forgettable in history.

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Source: https://znews.vn/de-bruyne-lukaku-bi-che-het-thoi-post1661941.html