In the build-up to Belgium’s 2-0 defeat against Morocco, Kevin De Bruyne conceded that his country's so-called ‘Golden Generation’ was at an end, hinting that their chances of winning the World Cup were over even before the group stages were completed.
The Manchester City midfielder said when asked about the claims of his nation being contenders for the ultimate prize in Qatar: “No chance, we’re too old. I think our chance was 2018. We have a good team, but it is ageing.”
On the evidence of the latest showing from Roberto Martinez’s side on Sunday, De Bruyne makes a valid point, as a squad loaded with household names lacks the spark required to chase down the most prestigious of honours.
Belgium looked leggy and short on ideas throughout, with Hakim Ziyech seeing a goal on the stroke of half-time ruled out for offside before Abdelhamid Sabiri repeated the trick from a free-kick midway through the second 45 as he fired through and beyond Thibaut Courtois, Zakaria Aboukhlal then grabbed a second for Morocco in stoppage-time.
GOAL runs through all of the winners and losers from a lacklustre performance that leaves Belgium sweating on a place in the last-16 and facing more questions over their alarming lack of inspiration...