Stuttgart, Germany

Curtains were dropped on the group stage of the Euro 2024 on Wednesday (June 26) as 16 teams confirmed their place in the knockout stage. One of the teams to confirm their place in the R16 was Belgium as they squeezed their way after a hard-fought goalless draw against Ukraine. While the tensions were high in the Belgium camp, after the match their coach Domenico Tedesco was seen furious at a cameraman who was near the team hurdle.

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Tedesco furious with cameraman

Post match, Belgium players were not very happy as they squeezed their way into the last 16 after a disappointing group stage campaign where they picked up only four points. Players formed a hurdle after the match where Tedesco took charge while captain Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jan Vertonghen were seen having a mini-conference. During that time Tedesco asked the cameraman to leave where it is thought that he was slamming his players and team spirit in the team camp.

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There is a reported rift in the Belgium camp as body language of players have often been questioned. Rifts between De Bruyne and Vertonghen are well known while Eden Hazard, the former skipper was also having his issues in the team during his playing days.

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Interestingly, Tedesco dropped Thibaut Courtois who has a poor relationship with both the manager and De Bruyne due to personal reasons. After the Ukraine match players were seen discontent with low body language, which highlighted the friction in the team campaign.  

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Belgium into R16

Despite the issue in the team camp, Belgium booked their place in the R16 having finished second with four points. Had they lost to Ukraine on Wednesday they could have faced elimination while they had already lost to Romania on matchday 1. Their win against Slovakia proved to be the difference-maker while a point against Ukraine proved crucial. Belgium will next take on France in the R16 match where they will be the second favourites.