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Belgium had a good UEFA Euro 2020, but ultimately failed to get their hands on silverware once again. They knocked out reigning champions Portugal in the Round of 16, but also had the misfortune of facing eventual champions Italy in the next round. Italy sent Belgium out in the quarterfinals in Munich as the No.1 ranked team in the world crashed out of Euro 2020. This highly talented generation of Belgian players once again failed to live up to their name.
Belgium announced a well-balanced squad for the tournament, with their aging defence the only real source of concern. But with Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, they comfortably qualified for the knockouts from the group stage.
Players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne were in form during Euro 2020. But the nerves got the best of them as they narrowly lost to Italy in the quarter-finals. Belgium's golden generation failed in a knockout stage fixture of a second consecutive major international tournament.
While it was a heartbreak for Belgium fans, the performances of some players would've given them some respite. On that note, here we take a look at the five best players for Belgium at Euro 2020.
5 best players for Belgium at UEFA Euro 2020
#5 Thomas Vermaelen
Belgium's back three of Thomas Vermaelen, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen had an average age of 33.67. This was probably their only weakness heading into Euro 2020.
While Alderweireld and Vertonghen had a mediocre campaign, it was Vermaelen, the oldest of the trio at 35, who impressed the most. He started just three games for the Red Devils but still managed to achieve some appreciable defensive stats.
Vermaeln completed 95% of his passes in the tournament and was not dribbled past in key games against Portugal and Italy. He also won more aerial duels than any other Belgian player.
#4 Thomas Meunier
Thomas Meunier has made a name for himself as a goal-scoring defender. He is one of the few defenders to ever score a hat-trick for their national team in competitive fixtures.
He found the back of the net at Euro 2020 as well and also had two assists to his name. Meunier assumed a greater role in the starting XI following an injury to Timothy Castagne and was excellent throughout.
He was one of only four Belgium players to get their names on the scoresheet during Euro 2020. Meunier definitely deserves some credit for his impressive performance down the right flank during the tournament.
Also See: 10 best goalkeepers in the world this season (2020-21)
#3 Thorgan Hazard
Eden Hazard was not fully match-fit for Belgium and looked a shadow of his old self heading into Euro 2020. Up stepped his younger brother, Thorgan Hazard, who took the opportunity and delivered for the national team.
Thorgan Hazard was a consistent performer for Borussia Monchengladbach between 2015 and 2019, which earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund. He has also been a part of the national setup since 2013 but four of his eight international goals have come in 2021.
He scored two goals at Euro 2020, one of them being an absolute screamer in the Round of 16 fixture against Portugal. Thorgan Hazard often started as a wide midfielder on the left flank. With Belgium using a back three, he had to put in his fair share of defensive duties as well, averaging 3.3 tackles a game.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is one of the best strikers of this generation. His performance at Euro 2020 only helped increase the validity of that claim. The Inter Milan striker scored four goals for Belgium, including a penalty during his side's 1-2 loss to Italy.
Lukaku was the target man for the Red Devils throughout the competition thanks to his physical abilities and instincts in the box. He scored roughly half of Belgium's goals in the tournament.
He could have received better service from the rest of his teammates, but still thrived on whatever little he got. If not for Lukaku's exploits, Belgium would've struggled to even make the quarterfinals at Euro 2020.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne
Belgium have a wealth of talent in their squad but no player is as important to their side as Kevin De Bruyne. The midfield maestro missed the opening game on account of an injury. But De Bruyne returned to the field on Matchday 2 with a bang and delivered a match-winning performance against Denmark.
He bossed the midfield against the Danes after coming on as a substitute. De Bruyne's influence only grew as the tournament progressed as he ended with two assists by the time Belgium were knocked out.
De Bruyne was the creative force behind his side's attacking play and averaged 3.3 key passes per game. This was more than twice of any of his teammates. Only Marco Verratti created more chances than him at Euro 2020.
Belgium boasted arguably the best midfielder in the world in De Bruyne and an accomplished finisher in Lukaku ahead of Euro 2020. However, an inability to cope with the nerves of major knockout fixtures meant they exited the tournament in the quarterfinals.
Also See: Top 10 football players with the most fans in the world
