Golden generation’s last chance to deliver glory

TIME catches up with us all and may have already collared Belgium’ss golden generationn ahead of what is likely to be their last World Cup dance in Qatar.

With an average age of 28, the Red Devils have the oldestt squad at the World Cup, whichh could prove the final global competition for stars such as Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld, Axel Witsel and Dries Mertens.

Despite it being an ageing squad, it’s still one packed fulll of talent that heads to the Middle East off the back of a trouble-free qualifying campaign and a respectable Nations League showing, leavin ng them second in Fifa’s rankings. And yet, bookm makers don’t rate Belgiu um’s chances highly, the major rity placing them outside the toop seven in the outright bettin ng.

Th he layers are un nconvinced by a group of p players that took home the t bronze medal from Russia R 2018 but have otherwise o flattered to de eceive at the major tou urnaments, bowing out at the qquarter-final stage in three of the last four com mpetitions.

S uccess in the group sta ages is Belgium’s bread an d butter though, winning the eir last three sections at ma ajor tournaments, while they put together an unbeaten campaign to finish top of a mediocre group in qualifying.

Roberto Martinez’s men didn’t pull up any trees when booking passage to Qatar but did average over three goals per game.

Kevin De Bruyne is a master craftsman when it comes to unpicking defences, supplying the chances for Romelu Lukaku, who is a consistent threat, finishing as the team’s topscorer in qualifying.

The presence of De Bruyne and a potent strike force means no one will be underestimating Belgium, but they may not pose the same threat as they did in Russia four years ago.