In a combative press conference performance reflecting the tensions of Belgium’s troubled World Cup campaign, Roberto Martínez accused the French media of dirty tricks and the Belgian press of seeking to divide their country before the must‑win match against Croatia.
Belgium, third at the last World Cup and second in the world rankings, must beat the 2018 finalists on Thursday to avoid a humiliating early exit from Qatar. Their preparations have been shrouded in acrimony. L’Equipe claimed Kevin De Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen clashed in the dressing room after Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Morocco, with the veteran defender taking exception to the Manchester City playmaker’s claim in the Guardian that Belgium are too old to win the World Cup.
