'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Belgium's winning run comes to an end
The current Belgium squad is unarguably the most talented generation of players in the country's footballing history, and almost every position in the team is full of three or more world-class players.
The likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are widely considered among the best players in the world and are ably supported by a competent cast including names like Dries Mertens, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.
Belgium came into this clash with Ivory Coast on a 12-game winning run that had seen them pick up victories across games in the Nations League and Euro qualification.
The last time they failed to pick up a victory was in November 2018 when they fell to a shock 5-2 defeat to Switzerland in the final match of the Nations League and since then, the Benelux nation won their next 12 games by an aggregate scoreline of 46-4.
This draw means that Belgium have failed to pick up a win for the first time in almost two years. Considering that it was a friendly, however, Roberto Martinez would not read too much into it.
#2 Michy Batshuayi takes opportunity
It is no hidden secret that Romelu Lukaku is the first-choice striker for Belgium, and the focus is on who would be his back-up option at the European Championship next year.
In many ways, this game offered an opportunity for the two men in the running to stake a claim for the spot.
Both Divock Origi and Michy Batshuayi are the two players most likely to act as the back-up option upfront, and both players were handed starts in the clash with Ivory Coast.
However, it was the Napoli man who shone the brightest, breaking the deadlock with an expert poacher's finish while the out-of-favour Liverpool man was left in his shadows.
#1 Ivory Coast show that they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world
For most of the last two decades, Ivory Coast have been blessed with world-class players who strutted their stuff with the biggest clubs in the world.
Players like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure made an impact on the global game and of the greatest travesties of the last decade was that the 'Golden Generation' of Ivorian football failed to truly shine at the international level.
Despite the departures of Drogba and co., the current crop is still well-stocked with quality. The likes of Wilfried Zaha, Nicolas Pepe, Franck Kessie, and Gervinho all have what it takes to unlock any defence on their day.
They came up against a Belgium side that, although was lacking their usual names, still had players who play at the highest levels.
Despite this, the Elephants held their own for 90 minutes and gave the Europeans as good as they got.
Although it was only a friendly fixture, this result, coupled with their 3-0 victory over Colombia last year, served as a reminder that Ivory Coast have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the best nations in the world.
