Belgium coach Rudi Garcia denies that comments he made after Belgium’s World Cup match were aimed at African football teams. After Belgium staged an improbable comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 in their round-of-32 game, Garcia referenced “those teams” that, in his view, lose their tactical shape during matches. Senegal led 2-0 with about five minutes remaining, but goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans level the score and send the game into extra time, before Belgium scores again deep into stoppage time to complete the turnaround.
Garcia says he was not criticizing African teams in particular and that his remarks were misunderstood. Belgium’s next match is against the United States, scheduled for Monday in Seattle. The denial follows coverage of Garcia’s earlier statements linked to the Senegal result and their context within the tournament’s discussion of team performance and tactical discipline.
