Israel’s slim chance of at least securing a third-place playoff spot for qualification to next summer’s Euro Cup in France came to an end on Tuesday.
Israel headed to Brussels knowing they had to beat Belgium in their final game and hope that Bosnia-Herzogovina didn’t beat the plucky Cypriots who beat Israel on Saturday.
Israel fought valiantly in the first half, but it all went pear-shaped in the second. In the 66th minute, Napoli winger Dries Mertens opened the score for Belgium, with a low shot in the penalty area that beat Ofir Marciano in Israel’s goal.
Kevin DeBruyne doubled the score with a well-taken freekick in the 78th minute.
With just over 10 minutes left, it was all-out attack for Israel. This left them wide open at the back and Chelsea’s Hazard punished them in the 84th minute. Israel’s Tomar Hemed got one back at the end of the game, but it was all for naught and the game finished 3-1.
It didn’t matter anyway, as in a thrilling encounter in Bosnia-Herzogovina, the home side beat Cyrpus 3-2, assuring them of the third-place playoff spot.
Israel’s fourth place finish in the six-team group has to be a disappointment for manager Eli Gutman’s side. When the groups were announced some three years ago, the Israelis has a fighting chance of finishing at least third. The group lacked a powerhouse side like Spain or Italy, and while Belgium were always considered favourites for first spot, Israel was expected to fight for second place, especially since they started off with three straight wins. But then three straight losses, including two at home set them back and they were never able to recover. Last Saturday’s loss to Cyprus was indicative of their poor home form in this tournament.
It won’t get better for Israel. Next year they’ll begin qualifying for the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia, but find themselves in a group with the aforementioned Italy and Spain, two of the best teams in the world.
