Belgium gamers react after dropping to Ukraine in Nations League.© AFP
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tasted defeat on his Belgium return on Thursday because the Red Devils misplaced 3-1 to Ukraine within the first leg of the Nations League play-off. Real Madrid’s Courtois final performed for his nation in 2023 earlier than a public falling out with then coach Domenico Tedesco and seemed set to complete on 102 caps. Courtois, 32, has come again into the fold beneath new boss in Frenchman Rudi Garcia, however was unable to cease Ukraine claiming the higher hand earlier than subsequent Sunday’s second leg in Genk. Romelu Lukaku scored for Belgium earlier than efforts from Oleksiy Gutsulyak, Vladyslav Vanat and Ilya Zabarnyi in a 12-minute spell after the break secured the win for Sergiy Rebrov’s aspect.
“The second half they took management,” Lukaku instructed Belgian broadcaster RTBF.
“We had extra need however we had been too wasteful for the third objective, our confidence dropped.
He added: “We can change the scenario subsequent week. I feel you may see the staff hasn’t recovered (from Tedesco’s tenure). The staff must be robust mentally.”
The opening recreation of the tie was performed within the Spanish metropolis of Murcia, resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Many of the Belgium aspect which topped the world rankings from 2018 till 2021 have retired, together with former skipper Eden Hazard.
Another member of that golden era in striker Lukaku opened the scoring in south-eastern Spain after 40 minutes.
Courtois then conceded three objectives by the 78th-minute leaving Belgium on the sting of relegation to the second-tier League B of the Nations League.
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