Lammens' error spells end for Belgium's golden generation
Belgium's 'golden generation' has come to an end after goalkeeper Simon Lammens' mistake led to elimination from the World Cup. The team, once featuring stars like De Bruyne, Lukaku, and Hazard, now passes the torch to a younger generation.
Belgium's long-celebrated 'golden generation' has officially ended following a costly error by goalkeeper Simon Lammens in the 2026 World Cup. This generation, which emerged during the 2014 World Cup, included players like Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and others. They reached the quarter-finals in 2014, the semi-finals in 2018, and won the third-place match. However, critics argue such a talented squad should have achieved more. Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague noted that to be called a 'golden generation' you need to win gold, but Belgium's achievements are often forgotten. After elimination in 2026, coach Rudi Garcia expressed disappointment for the veteran players who may not return. He admitted the team had too many setbacks: losing the goalkeeper, the captain, and having to substitute De Bruyne. Nevertheless, the new generation, including Charles de Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, and Amadou Onana, offers hope for the future. Garcia stressed that defeat can be a learning experience.
