June 27, 2024, Beijing, China
European cup (e.g. soccer)
In a crucial battle in Group E of the group stage.
Belgium
The team played out a 0-0 draw against Ukraine to secure second place in the group and will face France in the one-eighth final. However, an unholy incident took place after the match which is a cause for concern.
Belgian media walfoot noted in their post-match report that the Belgian fans were dissatisfied with the team's performance during the match, which is understandable to some extent. Despite the team's victory in the second leg, there were still some protesting voices from the fans. However, the problem arose at the end of the match when captain De Bruyne chose to greet his teammates
not give thanks for the show
left, a decision that sparked criticism from fans and the media.
walfoot further states that De Bruyne's attitude is hard to understand. As the first star and captain of the Belgian team, he should have shown more leadership and positive attitude, especially when interacting with the fans. His behavior may have deepened the rift within the team and among the fans, which is not good for the crucial match against France that follows.
Every player in the Belgian team has emphasized how important the support of the fans is to them, and De Bruyne's selection could lead to further controversy and discontent. The incident poses a challenge to the unity and cohesion of the Belgian team, who will need to regroup and show team spirit for the upcoming one-eighth final.
The Belgian team and De Bruyne personally will face more questions and concerns from fans and media in the coming time, and they will need to respond to these challenges with better performances.
