2nd half has just finished. The new players made a difference : first Fellaini scored, then Mertens. Origi (instead of Lukaku) played good as well, he was much faster than Lukaku. Good calls by coach Wilmots!
The important thing was that these three players wanted to play FORWARD.
The first half was absolutely terrible. For the next match (against Russia) I suggest Mertens play the whole match. Mertens has had the season of his life with Napoli (Italy), he brims with confidence. Fellaini might prove useful again against Russia as well.
Kevin Debruyne and Eden Hazard disappointed. Eden Hazard has been lazy in his passes for the last few friendly matches as well. Hazard needs a wake up call. The season has been very long for him. He DID provide Mertens with the assist for the first goal.
Debruyne on the other hand, I think, was very much impressed with the circumstances. We have to remember that this was the first World Cup match for all Belgian players, except for Van Buyten (defender, Bayern München, might retire after the World Cup).
Vertonghen needs to be talked to as well. These kinds of fouls are deadly on this level.
Most important lesson : the Belgians need to play much faster next time, play much more on the opponent's half (first 45 minutes were a disaster in that area : Belgians played back to their own goal keeper way too often) and they need to show more determination. This is what Algeria had in big amounts : determination.
I think Algeria played well, in accordance with the qualities they have. They played as a real team (more so than the Belgians in the first 55 minutes), and I think their coach had studied Belgium well in its previous matches.
Hope you guys at least had some fun watching the second half.
