Unfortunately, the match against England lasted a few seconds too long for the Red Devils. The inevitable Jude Bellingham scored a draw (2-2) in the absolute final seconds. The British press saw how the English defense sometimes defended “comically poorly”, but there was also praise for some Red Devils.
The Sun: “This Belgium is no longer the Golden Generation”
“Saved by the Bell” and “Thank Ju”: there is no shortage of puns in The Sun. The newspaper saw how Jude Bellingham was once again the great lifesaver against the Belgians. According to the newspaper, there is still a lot of work to be done for the English after a “lackluster performance”.
“A defeat and a draw, some poor individual performances and even more injuries. If Gareth Southgate wanted a perfect warm-up for the European Championship, he certainly didn’t get it against Brazil and Belgium. The big problem for England could be who is fit for the European Championship.”
Youri Tielemans in particular received a lot of attention after his two goals. “The Belgians occasionally caused problems, even though the team is no longer the Golden Generation. England had to pay for their comically poor defending.”
About the first goal: “Tielemans finished it beautifully and instinctively from 20 meters. He blasted the ball past Dunk and the desperate Pickford, who was wrong-footed as he headed back towards goal.” About the second goal: “Dunk made complete chaos of a good pass from Tielemans and he headed in a brilliant cross from Lukaku with the outside of his shoe.”
The Guardian: “Lukebakio could have decided the match”
“There was enormous wastefulness among the English,” says The Guardian. “Bellingham and Foden missed big chances, while there were also two terrible blunders in the improvised defence. For a while it looked like England was heading for an undeserved defeat. Southgate wanted to make a statement, but he didn’t get his way. Although the draw almost felt like a victory, after the earlier misses.”
About the Belgians: “Youri Tielemans punished England with both goals. It should have been over in the 92nd minute, when Belgium stormed forward and England were caught cold. Doku gave the decisive pass to substitute Lukebakio, but he shot high.”
The Daily Mail: “Doku looked like he did during his first weeks at Man City”
One big standout for the Belgians, according to The Daily Mail. ‘Man of the Match’ Youri Tielemans was rewarded with a 9 out of 10 after his two goals. “By far the best player of the match. Smart first goal and a beautiful header for the second goal. Smart in possession.”
Lukaku (8 out of 10) and Doku (8 out of 10) also received high scores. “They had their hands full with Lukaku, this was his best game in England for a long time. Doku looked like the fast, direct winger of the first few weeks at City. A real threat.” Substitutes Vranckx and Meunier (5 out of 10) received the lowest player ratings.
According to the newspaper, the Red Devils are a dangerous outsider at the European Championship. “Belgium should of course not be underestimated. They won their qualifying group without losing a game and based on this match, Tielemans, Lukaku and Doku have the ability to worry any defense. But England should have already surpassed Belgium.”
