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"Painful" start to coaching Belgium for Roberto Martinez and Thierry Henry

Not a great start for the new Red Devils coaching team.

John Phillips/Getty Images

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.

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.