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The Roberto Martinez era of Belgian soccer got off to a slow start with a 2-0 loss to Spain in Brussels. The crowd did not come to see Belgium lose, and let its disappointment be known. Roberto Martinez called the result "painful".
Thierry Henry concurred.
Thierry Henry durante su estreno en el staff de #Bélgica pic.twitter.com/AqyNjRCJm4
— Esteban Gómez (@mirondo9) September 1, 2016
La tête de Thierry Henry quand Romelu Lukaku rentre au lieu de Batshuayi #BE #CFC #TeamOM ( @standardmen89) pic.twitter.com/QX1nl0sijD
— BatshuayiSource (@BatshuayiSource) September 1, 2016
Fortunately for Belgium, Martinez, and Henry, its next match is soon - September 6 - against less vaunted opposition (Cyprus). And, given the reaction of the Belgian crowd to the loss to Spain, it is perhaps also fortunate the next game will be played outside Belgium.
A friendly loss to Spain will quickly be forgotten. Trouble in World Cup qualifying, however, will quickly bring pressure for Belgium's new coaching team.