CAN BELGIUM REACH THE QUARTER-FINALS OF THE EURO CUP?

The Belgian national team has experienced a remarkable resurgence over the past decade, establishing itself as a solid footballing power in Europe and the world. Ranked in the top 5 of the FIFA rankings for several consecutive years, the Red Devils, led by a "Golden Generation" of players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois, have reached advanced stages in international tournaments.

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Belgium achieved one of its greatest successes by reaching the semi-finals, where they were eliminated by France. They subsequently secured third place after defeating England. At Euro 2020, played in 2021 due to the pandemic, Belgium displayed strong performances during the group stage and the round of 16, but were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Italy, the eventual tournament champions.

These results confirm that Belgium has proven its ability to compete at the highest level.

However, they have also sparked debate about whether, despite their evident individual quality, the team has reached its peak without having won a major title. Many experts point out that this generation's competitive cycle is entering a phase of decline, given that key players are in the later stages of their careers or dealing with recurring injuries.The transition to a new generation is looming, and Belgium's performance at Euro 2024 could determine whether that change should be immediate. In that sense, the experience accumulated by this team and its recent quarter-final record offer both reassurance and pressure to repeat, and improve upon, those results.Furthermore, the national team coach's tactical consistency, along with the depth of the bench, could play a decisive role in such a high-performance and physically demanding competition. Historically, Belgium has shown the ability to thrive in the group stages and advance beyond the round of 16, but the main challenge remains maintaining that effectiveness in the knockout stages.In short, Belgium's competitive record in recent tournaments demonstrates that reaching the quarterfinals is not only possible, but expected. However, several factors, such as the fitness of their key players and the caliber of their opponents, will determine whether they can progress further.

Belgium's ability to reach the quarterfinals at Euro 2024 will depend largely on the performance of their current squad. While they still retain several veteran members of the "Golden Generation," there is a growing mix of youth and experience that could be key to their performance throughout the tournament.

Kevin De Bruyne remains the brains of the midfield; his vision and ability to distribute the ball are crucial. However, he comes into the tournament having dealt with injuries during the season, raising questions about his fitness and consistency. Romelu Lukaku, meanwhile, remains a central figure in attack, guaranteeing goals with his physical power and goal-scoring instinct.

In defense, the transition is more evident. Veteran players like Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are no longer undisputed starters.

Instead, new talents have begun to take center stage, such as Zeno Debast and Wout Faes, who bring speed and freshness, albeit with less international experience.The midfield has benefited from the emergence of players like Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans, who provide strength, technical quality, and tactical solidity. Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard add dynamism and attacking flair on the wings, although their inexperience in the later stages of major tournaments could pose a challenge.In goal, the situation is ambiguous. Thibaut Courtois, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, has suffered a serious knee injury that sidelined him for much of the season. This opens the door to less established alternatives like Koen Casteels or Matz Sels, which could leave a key position vulnerable in maintaining the team's defensive solidity.

Coach Domenico Tedesco has been in charge of leading this transition, opting for a flexible tactical system, usually a 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1, which attempts to balance the presence of veterans with fresh blood. The question remains whether this formula achieves competitive efficiency against stronger teams in the knockout stages.

On balance, the squad has the necessary elements to aspire to the quarterfinals, especially if the players maintain good physical condition and there is tactical cohesion. However, how they respond to the pressure of knockout matches and whether they can maintain consistency throughout the competition will be crucial.

The paths to the quarterfinals in a tournament like the European Championship depend largely on the group assigned in the initial phase and the potential opponents in the round of 16. In Belgium's case for Euro 2024, the draw has been relatively favorable, but not without its challenges.

In the group stage, Belgium is in Group E, alongside teams like Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. On paper, Belgium is the favorite to top the group, considering the strength of its squad and its experience in high-level tournaments. However, it cannot afford to be complacent, as each of these opponents brings different nuances that could complicate its qualification if a dip in performance or a key injury occurs.

If Belgium tops the group, it could face one of the teams that qualify as third-place finishers from other groups, which on paper seems like a more accessible route to the quarterfinals. But history has shown that underestimating these opponents can be dangerous.

Teams that qualify as third-placed teams often perform well and surprise in later stages, as happened with Portugal in 2016, who ended up winning the tournament.If they qualify in second place, the scenario becomes more complicated, as they could face higher-ranked teams like France or Germany in the round of 16, depending on how the other groups play out. In that context, the chances of reaching the quarterfinals would decrease significantly.At a competitive level, teams in a European Championship usually have a solid defensive foundation, making matches very close. Belgium will need to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, control the midfield, and limit defensive errors if they want to go far. The experience of many of their players could be key in tight matches or those decided by tactical details or set pieces.Furthermore, the role of the coaching staff will be essential in the preparation and management of each match, given that there is no room for error in the knockout stage. Tedesco's ability to analyze opponents and adjust strategies can make the difference between success and early elimination.In conclusion, while Belgium's group is manageable, their real challenges will come from the round of 16 onwards. Depending on their position in the group and the results in other groups, the path to the quarterfinals could be steep or relatively easy. However, qualifying among the top eight is a realistic and achievable goal if the right conditions are met.