World Cup: Belgium Head Coach Roberto Martinez Rues "Small Margins" After Semi-Final Defeat By France

Roberto Martinez

Belgium gaffer Roberto Martinez has said his side gave everything despite their 1-0 defeat to France in Tuesday’s 2018 Fifa World Cup semi-final showdown.

Samuel Umtiti’s 51st minute header was enough for the 1998 champions to book a place in the final on Sunday, making it their first final in 20 years.

Speaking after the clash, Martinez regretted his team’s lack of luck, describing the loss as a disappointment.

“It was a question of details. Unfortunately for us the difference was a deadball situation. The game was very close, very tight,” the coach said.

“It was going to be decided by whoever could find that final touch in the box or a bit of luck in front of goal.

“The effort from the players was magnificent, I couldn’t ask for more. In football you have to understand there are winners and losers but if you are going to lose, you do it while giving everything.”

He added that, “Now we need to get rid of this disappointment and make sure we finish on a high. These players don’t deserve to leave the tournament with a bad taste.

“We can’t be anything other than disappointed now but we will try to finish the tournament on a high [by winning the third-place playoff].”





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