The Netherlands easily and logically defeated Belgium on Friday evening in Brussels (1-4) in the match at the top of group 4 of the League of Nations, thanks in particular to a double from Memphis Depay.
The superb goals scored just before and after half-time by Steven Bergwijn (40th) then Memphis Depay (51st) set the tone for a one-sided match, allowing Louis van Gaal's men to start this League perfectly. nations.
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After the hour mark, Denzel Dumfries (61st) and Depay (65th), for his second goal, increased the score, confirming the progress of their team and the inevitable decline in Belgium, aging and uninspired.
The Red Devils, who reduced the mark at the end of the game thanks to Michy Batshuayi (90 + 3), had not suffered such disappointment since the heavy defeat in Switzerland in November 2018 (5-2).
Castagne misses the knockout
Carried by the still too episodic flashes of their captain Eden Hazard, replaced at the break, the Belgians were however the first to be dangerous in the opposing half of the field.
In this shock of the flat countries, the 128th in history between these two neighbors who love to hate each other, Timothy Castagne recovered a ball badly negotiated by the Dutch defense to send a tense strike on an amount (13th).
The injury exit of Romelu Lukaku (26th), lacking in confidence and rhythm given his status at Chelsea, seemed to completely disorganize Roberto Martinez's team.
Too feverish defensively, Belgium fell back more and more.
After being saved for the first time by a miraculous save from Simon Mignolet, replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois, she left the initiative to the visitors.
And after narrowly missing the opener via Depay (17th), Blind (29th) then Berghuis (34th), the Dutch got the just reward for their efforts thanks to a splendid strike from Bergwijn.
Depay sets fire
After the break, the meeting turned into a nightmare for an outdated or even outclassed Belgium.
Depay, on fire, scored two new goals by playing a beleaguered Belgian defense, while Dumfries meanwhile coolly punctuated a collective action of great beauty.
Since relying on this famous "golden generation", Belgium had only very rarely suffered such a snub.
Which will inevitably leave traces.
If the path to the Final Four already seems compromised, Roberto Martinez will quickly have to find the parade to keep his team competitive for the deadline of the World Cup in Qatar.
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