Bitter defeat for Belgium in the World Cup semi-final is tempered by the fact that influential squad members will likely still be around in two years' time for the European Championship where they will have another realistic chance at a major title.
The country’s ‘golden generation’ had high hopes of a first-ever appearance in a World Cup final but came up short on Tuesday as neighbours France edged them 1-0 at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
But if there is any consolation, it will be that many will return to try again at the Euro 2020 tournament where, should they qualify comfortably, Belgium will be among the favourites.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “Belgian football has got a wealth of young talent coming through and in my role, I’ve got an eye on the Euros in 2020,” said coach Roberto Martinez, who signed a two-year contract extension to take him through to 2020 just weeks before the World Cup kicked off.
Belgium play on Saturday against the loser of Wednesday’s semi-final between Croatia and England in the third place playoff and Martinez said his team will be focusing on finishing third at the World Cup.
Players like captain Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois are still aged under 28 and will be eager to have another chance.
Belgium’s best international performances have been European Championship runners-up in 1980 and now two World Cup semi-finals, the first of which was in 1986.
Asked whether being knocked out of the World Cup represented the last chance for a talented group of players who have promised much in recent years, Courtois said: “I don't know. The Euros are only two years away.”
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