Van Bommel believes that Spain could not have won the World Cup

ByDavid Mitchell

The new coach Belgiumthe Dutch Mark Van Bommelconveyed a message of motivation to the Red Devils in their first meeting with the players summoned to face Italy, France and Turkey in the Nations League, ensuring that the Belgians could have won the World Cup that Spain won. “I think that in the World Cup, with a little more luck, you should have gone further. You could have even won it,” the Dutch coach told the 28 players selected in his first call-up.

Belgium, with Frenchman Rudi Garcia as coach, reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico after finishing first in their group, with draws against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0) and a win against New Zealand (5-1). Already in the qualifiers, the Red Devils beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the round of 32 and beat the United States 4-1 in the round of 16.

Their journey ended in the quarterfinals against Spain, which won 2-1 with a goal from Mikel Merino in the 88th minute, after Charles De Ketelaere had equalized Fabián Ruiz’s initial goal, in a match marked by the injury of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Spanish team would end up becoming world champions after defeating Argentina in the final.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.