The Red Flames are already assured of an extended stay in division A of the Nations League. In the Serneels anniversary match, Hungary was three sizes too small: 1-5.
Ives Serneels, ill in recent days, had recovered just in time for his 150th international match as national coach, but the start of his team immediately made him feel sick again. The Red Flames started weakly in Hungary. The first chance for the home team was immediate: free kick, no duel power, header, 1-0.
Fortunately, there are still certainties in life, including in women’s football. Tessa Wullaert first provided the assist for Kees’ equalizer (1-1) and then scored the 1-2 against the ropes herself. Her shot showed frustration – she clearly didn’t like the level of play.
Big gap
The bar for the Belgian national team in 2024 is higher than it was about a year and a half ago, thanks to those stunts against England and the Netherlands. That creates expectations – tant mieux -, but they were not met against Hungary for ninety minutes. The Flames have already played better, that’s fair. The fact that they were nevertheless able to easily put Hungary aside also has to do with the possibilities of the opponent – the quality is much lower. It is not without reason that the Hungarians are 41st in the FIFA rankings, Belgium is 18th. This is a big gap among women.
Except for the opening phase, Hungary was never able to threaten the Flames. Even without being really good, the Belgian ladies were able to secure their place in division A of the Nations League. Vanhaevermaet made it 1-3, Wullaert volleyed towards 1-4 with her 79th goal, Kees made it 1-5.
European Championship 2025 in Switzerland
It is that it is mandatory, but there is actually no point in Hungarians still traveling to Leuven. The chances of a turnaround on Tuesday are non-existent. And that is excellent news for the Flames, especially in view of the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland. The possibilities of qualifying via division A are slightly greater, despite the tougher opposition. We may be strict about the football that was presented in Hungary for too long periods, but in the end it is all about the result. We couldn’t fault that. Well done.
No idea whether it is appropriate with the medication that Serneels has to take, but if it is allowed, Serneels has earned a Duvel in his anniversary competition. And Wullaert and her teammates a piece of pizza – tasty and good for recovery. Not that the latter is really necessary. Even at 50 percent on Tuesday.
