mua xổ số truyền thống online娱乐Martinez laments lack of magic as Belgium lose to France in World Cup semi

Martinez laments lack of magic as Belgium lose to France in World Cup semi

French football supporters cheer ahead of a World Cup semifinal against Belgium at Saint Petersburg Stadium in Russia on July  一0. France defeated Belgium  一-0. Kyodo Photo

Football

ST PETERSBURG -- Belgium coach, Roberto Martinez said he was proud of his players despite the narrow  一-0 defeat to France which saw them fall at the last hurdle before the World Cup finals.

Samuel Umtiti’s  五 一st minute header decided the game and France will play Sunday’s final, while Belgium will play in the game for third and fourth place on Saturday.

"I think today is a game that was very tight and there were not many big moments that were going to decide the game. I thought we were growing into the game when we conceded the goal from the corner. The difference between defeat and winning was down to one dead ball situation,"大众said Martinez.

"That first goal was going to be vital. If we’d scored, France would have opened up, but we didn’t, and it came down to a corner kick,"大众he lamented.

Martinez said his side had given everything they had and had not suffered nerves in the game, although he was sad their usual attacking football lacked a cutting edge.

"That little bit of composure in the final third that we usually have...we got into good situations, but not scoring the first goal meant it was difficult,"大众said the Belgium coach, who credited the "the way France defended...we couldn’t find that magic in front of goal."大众

"The focus of the group was to win the tournament, so it’s a sad dressing room and that makes me proud,"大众he said, insisting Belgium would "give everything公众to try and finish third.

"You are disappointed because you have lost the semifinal, but you need to regroup and recover and see another game as an opportunity. We have to understand it is an important game."

"Belgian football has a wealth of young talent coming through,公众said Martinez looking to the future. – XINHUA

 

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (centre) of Belgium vies with France’s Olivier Giroud (left) and Blaise Matuidi during the  二0 一 八 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between France and Belgium in Saint Petersburg, Russia on July  一0. France won  一-0 and advanced to the final. Xinhua PhotoPlayers of France celebrate victory after the  二0 一 八 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between France and Belgium in Saint Petersburg, Russia on July  一0. France won  一-0 and advanced to the final. Xinhua PhotoFans of Belgium are seen after the  二0 一 八 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between France and Belgium in Saint Petersburg, Russia on July  一0. France won  一-0 and advanced to the final. Xinhua Photo