Belgium's World Cup campaign on verge of imploding after stars turn on De Bruyne

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Eight years ago, Belgium headed into the World Cup in Brazil as a side on the precipice of success thanks to their so-called "Golden Generation". After years out of the limelight, the likes of Thibaut Cortious, Toby Alderweireld, Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard made fans believe a major honour was coming their way.

Now, Belgium's greatest footballing chapter is on the verge of ending in despair. Roberto Martinez's side - who are ranked second in the world by FIFA - are in danger of crashing out of the World Cup in the group stage after losing 2-0 to Morocco on Sunday.

That result came just four days after Belgium narrowly defeated Canada 1-0 with an uninspiring performance. Belgium's results and displays - as well as some in-squad fighting - has left many critics asking what's gone wrong. Here, Mirror Football takes a look.

Road to Qatar

The 2014 World Cup was the first chance for international football to see the new and improved Belgium. It was their first major tournament since the World Cup in Japan and South Korea in 2002 and expectations were high thanks to their young, talented squad.

Under the management of legendary player Marc Wilmots, Belgium impressed in Brazil. They won all three of their group games and knocked out the United States in the last 16, yet Lionel Messi and Argentina ended their hopes in the quarter-finals.

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Euro 2016 in France was arguably Belgium's best chance to win a major honour. Wilmots squad were just entering their prime and there were no obvious favourites. A 4-0 victory against Hungary in the last 16 confirmed their credentials.

Belgium were drawn against Wales in the quarter-finals and were tipped to beat Chris Coleman's underdogs. An early strike from Radja Nainggolan suggested that would happen, but goals from Ashely Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes stunned the favourites.

Martinez replaced Wilmots after Belgium's unthinkable defeat to Wales and was tasked with winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Golden Generation were still at their peak and group-stage wins against England, Tunisia and Panama boosted their hopes.

Victories against Japan and Brazil followed, leaving Belgium just one win away from reaching the final. Frustratingly for Martinez's side, they lost 1-0 to eventual winners France. A 2-0 victory against England in the third-place play-off offered some comfort.

Three years later, Belgium set out to win Euro 2020 and avenge their defeat to Wales. They again breezed into the knockout stages and sent defending champions Portugal packing in the last 16. Yet they failed to overcome eventual winners Italy in the quarter-finals.

Belgium's glittering squad had failed again and again. Despite their high ranking, few critics backed Martinez's side to win this year's World Cup ahead of the tournament - and it seems not even their players are confident of achieving an elusive major honour in Qatar.

De Bruyne angers colleagues

For many years, Eden Hazard was Belgium's talisman. Although the Real Madrid star is still their captain, his disappointing form at club level in recent seasons has seen Belgium's hopes pinned on Manchester City ace De Bruyne.

After all, De Bruyne is arguably the best midfielder in the Premier League - if not Europe. Yet an interview with The Guardian has caused a stir. When asked if Belgium could win the World Cup, De Bruyne said: "No chance, we're too old."

Considering Belgium's lofty world ranking, it seemed a bizarre thing for De Bruyne to say. His apathy was even more evident after he was named Player of the Match for his performance against Canada. "I don't think I played a great game," said the midfielder. "I don't know why I have got the trophy. Maybe it's because of the name."

Eden Hazard's comments before the Morocco game were also uninspiring. He admitted: "To be fair I think we had a better chance to win four years ago. The team was better four years ago but still we have the quality to win games and to win the competition."

De Bruyne was not in contention to retain the award after his disappointing display on Sunday. He was hammered by the Belgian press, with one newspaper giving him a four-out-of-ten rating. Another asked: "Can someone shake De Bruyne awake?"

De Bruyne's comments also appeared to anger his Belgium team-mate Jan Vertonghen. "There's so much going through my mind right now, things I shouldn't say in the open air," said the defender after the Morocco loss. "I don't think we created any chances.

"Where did it go wrong? We probably also attack badly because we are too old, that must be it now, surely? We have a lot of quality up front, but so does Morocco, and they came out better today. This is very frustrating."

Belgium's class of 2022 appears to be a disharmonious group. There's no doubting their quality, but the comments made by De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Vertonghen - as well as their poor performances against Canada and Morocco - do not bode well.

Belgium now face an uphill battle to keep their World Cup dream alive. They must beat Croatia - who hammered Canada 4-1 on Sunday and reached the final four years ago - in their final group game on Thursday to progress. A draw is unlikely to be enough.

If Belgium fail to do that, they will join Sven-Goran Eriksson's England, Luiz Felipe Scolari's Portugal and Gusztav Sebes' Hungary as the latest Golden Generation not to win a major international honour. Time is running out for Martinez's side to turn the tide.

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