Kompany: Belgium were the best team at the World Cup
Belgium's defender Vincent Kompany greets the fans after their 2018 World Cup semi-final match against France at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. PHOTO | GABRIEL BOUYS |
What you need to know:
- Kompany paid tribute to the winners despite their defensive approach, saying: "Everyone is obviously disappointed, it is never fun to lose a semi-final.
- "We have not lost to a team that is better than us, but we have to congratulate them. They succeeded once and that was enough."
Vincent Kompany believes Belgium were the best team at the World Cup despite their semi-final loss to France on Tuesday.
Roberto Martinez's men fell to a 1-0 defeat in St Petersburg, where Samuel Umtiti's second-half header was the difference.
Despite the loss, Kompany felt his side were the best team at the showpiece tournament in Russia.
"There was no team better than us at this world championship," the defender said, via Het Nieuwsblad.
"We had more opportunities than in 2014 against Argentina [in the quarter-finals], and had more control. We knew how we would make it difficult for this team and how we wanted to limit the risk at the back and that worked out well.
"It was a matter of details and one stood out. We respect what they have laid down."Belgium were lively early against France, but they struggled to break down Didier Deschamps' men.
Kompany paid tribute to the winners despite their defensive approach, saying: "Everyone is obviously disappointed, it is never fun to lose a semi-final.
"We have not lost to a team that is better than us, but we have to congratulate them. They succeeded once and that was enough."
