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Only three "host nations" didn't qualify for the knock-outs: Russia (38th in most recent FIFA's World Rankings), Scotland (44th) and Hungary (37th) with each of those appearing in a group with another "host nation" meaning only two of their three games were at home. Only Scotland didn't also have multiple top 10 nations in their group.
Czechia are the only side so far to beat a "host nation" in a knock-out game with Austria and Belgium losing to Italy, Croatia and Switzerland losing to Spain, Germany losing to England and Wales to Denmark.
At the end of the day one of the following will be true about the knock-outs:
I) Czechia are no longer the only non-host nation side to knock out a host nation, or
Ii) Czechia will become the only non-host nation side to knock out a host nations side and have repeated the feat, or
Iii) the semi final will be made up purely of host nation sides.
It's not so much the home advantage which is every tournament but also massive differences in travel. Especially after long season post-covid.
You can't go into a tournament thinking about how you're disadvantaged - you're meant to find ways to win anyway - but it's an important part of the context. If Czechia win today they're probably the team who have handled it best and we can try to learn from them.
Got to have a look at Martinez when it comes to Belgium not quite getting there. He's a good coach, but utter shit on the defensive side of things, he also struggles when teams with a bit of quality press higher. Look at the players Belgium have at their disposal, drilled to take teams out and batter them in the final third. Martinez has failed.
I think you might be coming on too strong there. Didn't the commentators say something like Martinez losing just three competitive games with Belgium?Unfair to say Belgium’s golden generation failed by not winning a trophy. One: golden relative to what came before in Belgium. Two: talents in different positions peaked at different moments. Three: they’ve never had full backs! A piece on their exit.
A thing I had completely forgotten: who started at right back for Belgium in the World Cup semi final v France? Nacer Chadli.
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