Belgium national team captain Romelu Lukaku considered the performance of the Red Devils unacceptable after their disappointing 3-1 loss to Ukraine in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League play-off.
Lukaku opened the scoring for Belgium just before halftime, heading in De Bruyne’s free-kick for his 86th international goal. After the break, Ukraine fought back, with Zinchenko hitting the woodwork before substitute Oleksii Hutsuliak equalized in the 66th minute.
Ukraine then seized control with two quick goals. Vanat put them ahead, and Zabarnyi deflected Zinchenko’s cross into the net, sealing a strong first-leg advantage and handing Rudi Garcia a defeat in his debut match as Belgium’s coach.
Speaking after the game, Lukaku couldn’t hide his disappointment; “It was about winning the duels, and we had problems putting pressure. That was abundantly clear,” the Napoli striker said.
“Especially in midfield, there was not enough pressure. We didn’t find any solutions and that’s a shame. But after that, it’s just about honour.
“It’s a matter of mentality. We have a mental problem. I compare it to the previous generation. We have to cultivate a mentality as a team again because then we won’t concede any goals. That’s where it starts, winning duels.
“Technically, there is a lot of work to be done, but we have to rebuild from scratch.
“We have a new generation, but we can’t lose like this. This is unacceptable. The older players can help with this, but we have to analyse this first.
“Where did it go wrong? In the first half, we found a solution and then it became sloppy. We were afraid on the ball. It is difficult.
“We have to play a kind of total football to win. That starts with making agreements, but now everything was still far too unclear. It was not easy for anyone.”
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
