From gladiators "ready for combat" to "Devils in lack of efficiency".
The contrast between the pre- and post-match front pages of The Last Hour is up to the disillusionment and disappointment of the Belgian people, the day after Belgium's defeat in the quarter-finals of the Euro against Italy (2-1).
"Another broken dream", headlines the general daily.
All the press headlines evoke this “golden generation” of De Bruyne, Lukaku and other Hazards, who, once again, say goodbye to their goals of final victory in a major international competition.
The sad record of Chadli, Doku in the History of Belgian football, KDB the marathoner: the Devils match in questions https://t.co/nFckUgUdAr pic.twitter.com/xKNjMS3xsC
- DH les Sports + (@ladh) July 3, 2021
Also like De Standaard.
“It should have been the year Belgium could have won the coveted cup.
Unfortunately, this was not the case.
After a roller coaster of emotions, where despair and hope alternated, the Red Devils could not (once again) be up to the task, ”regrets the Dutch-speaking daily, when DeMorgen speaks of a team of 'Italy "too strong, too smart, too good" this Friday evening.
Finally, Le Soir, who hopes for “one last chance in Doha?
"In 2022 on the occasion of the next World Cup, also looks back on the excesses last night in downtown Brussels and on the rapid return home for the players of the Belgian selection, who" have already left the national center of Tubize, despite the presence of some supporters ”.
The incredulous Italian press
On the Italian side, the joy is obviously immense!
“Dimmi che è vero!
", Understand" Tell me it's true!
»On one of the Corriere dello Sport.
“OLÉ ITALIA” for its part is launching La Gazzetta dello Sport, already focused on the upcoming semi-final against Spain at Wembley on Tuesday 6 July.
La prima pagina del # CorSport-Stadio ⬇️
🔸 Dimmi che è vero!
🔸 Euforia #Mourinho: “Voglio vincere”
🔸 Carica #Spalletti: “Qui darò tutto”
Leggi le altre notizie su: https://t.co/J9nqcm79Ff pic.twitter.com/6T6MHlwd2Z
- Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) July 3, 2021
A victory and a quality of play hailed by the Italian journalists, aware that they were not favorites when approaching this meeting.
"It is the team that reigns at the top of the world ranking, a real obstacle, high and complicated", recognizes the Quotidiano Sportivo.
The only downside: the Achilles tendon injury of Leonardo Spinazzola.
La Gazzetta dello Sport relates: “The first diagnosis revealed 'clinical signs of injury to the left Achilles tendon', one of the most terrible diagnoses for anyone who plays football”.
“It was also the night of tears,” on the face of n ° 4 de la Nazionale, says journalist Marco Pasotto.