'Very Proud' Belgium Stunned By Fans' Fury After Securing Last 16 Spot

Belgium's players were left bewildered and disheartened by their supporters' reaction after securing a spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a goalless draw against Ukraine. The Red Devils needed just a point from their final Group E match to advance, but a win would have seen them top the group. Instead, they now face France in the next round, considered the tougher half of the draw.

Despite needing only a point, Belgium chose to protect their position rather than push for a win. When the final whistle blew, Belgian fans jeered instead of celebrating. Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium's captain, led his team back to the dressing room as players expressed their shock to the media. "We are qualified and very proud as a group," said Yannick Carrasco. "As a group, we do not understand the reaction of the fans. We find that disappointing."

Jan Vertonghen shared his experience: "I was one of the first to go to the fans because I was genuinely happy with the qualification and wanted to greet them. Yes, there is disappointment because we didn't win, but being booed after we qualified... it's the first time I've experienced that." This sentiment echoed throughout the team as they grappled with the unexpected response from their supporters.

De Bruyne addressed the situation in his interview with broadcasters but defended Belgium's strategy. "If we go all out for a goal and we lose, what then? You can do that and concede a goal like against England [in March's friendly]," he said. He emphasised that facing France next requires full recovery and effort. "We are underdogs there. But if you want to win a European Championship, you have to beat everyone, and now it is France."

Head coach Domenico Tedesco also expressed surprise at the fans' reaction. "All that mattered was qualifying," he stated. Reflecting on their journey so far, Tedesco noted, "We lost the first match, so the conditions were not easy. And after our win against Romania, everyone was happy." He added that his players struggled to understand why they were being whistled at despite doing everything possible to score against Ukraine.

The team's decision to return to the dressing room together was supported by De Bruyne's leadership. "He's the captain and can make that decision," Vertonghen remarked about De Bruyne's call for unity amidst disappointment.

Looking Ahead

The Belgian squad now turns its focus towards preparing for their upcoming clash with France. The players acknowledge that they are considered underdogs but remain determined to give their best performance. As Carrasco highlighted, "You cannot forget where Belgium comes from, and now we participate in every tournament." This resilience will be crucial as they aim to progress further in Euro 2024.

The unexpected reaction from fans has undoubtedly added an emotional layer to Belgium's campaign. However, both players and coaches are committed to moving forward with determination and focus on overcoming France in their next challenge.