Belgium had a massive reputation coming into Euro 2016.
Like England’s golden generation, they’re blessed with an embarrassment of talent, and a look at the names in their squad is enough to make the balls shrivel on even the most steely of European defenders.
With players like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku and finishing top of their group in qualification, it’s no wonder they’re the highest-ranked team coming into the tournament… No, really – check the FIFA rankings.
So everyone on Twitter was obviously left asking ‘why the hell are they so shit?’ after they were beaten by Italy 2-0 after goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle.
There’s still two game for Belgium to get their act together, and Italy are always a tough side to face, but people were genuinely stunned by their underwhelming performance.
https://twitter.com/ericlalor/status/742457606401331200
Belgium like the US Ryder Cup team.
Good on paper, crap as a team!
— Ryan (@TheClub) June 13, 2016
Described as the worst #ITA team EVER before kick off…that was a superb team performance. Imagine if they were half decent 👏👏
— Adam Bridge (@abridge75) June 13, 2016
Belgium has three languages: Flemish, Walloon and Eternal Disappointment.
— Danny Kelly (@dannykellywords) June 13, 2016
Some great individuals in this Belgium team but they looked poorly prepared by Wilmots. Is he auditioning to be future Charlton Ath manager?
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) June 13, 2016
Has anyone ever changed coaches midway through an international tournament?
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) June 13, 2016
Belgium's placement in the FIFA rankings kind of makes a mockery of the FIFA rankings.
— Ryan Bailey (@RyanJayBailey) June 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/garyrogers67/status/742465714058088448
But most of the bewilderment and ire was reserved for Belgium’s misfiring Premier League frontmen Romelu Lukaku and Divock Origi…
https://twitter.com/Ankaman616/status/742460382749597696
https://twitter.com/HazardPass/status/742449966401097729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/soles08/status/742446368682332160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/EurosRelated/status/742455541721600000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Origi's done impressively well to be worse than Lukaku.
— Rich Laverty (@RichJLaverty) June 13, 2016
Lukaku nearly miscontrolled his hand slap with Origi as he was being subbed. #bel #ita
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) June 13, 2016
Origi's little cameo there is about the worst you'll ever see.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 13, 2016
