De Bruyne Allowed to Miss Belgium’s Next Nations League Game

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
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De Bruyne Allowed to Miss Belgium’s Next Nations League Game

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)

Kevin De Bruyne is one of three Belgium players given permission to go off early on holiday after their 1-1 draw with Wales on Saturday, coach Roberto Martinez said.

De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier have all been allowed to skip the last of this month's four Nations League A Group Four matches, which is away against Poland in Warsaw on Tuesday.

"De Bruyne has given enough, so has Carrasco," Martinez said. "Meunier played two games in quick succession after not playing for three months. We can't force anyone."

However, De Bruyne, who had been critical about having to play in the Nations League this month after a long season with Manchester City, said he would have been happy to continue.

"I have played three matches for almost 90 minutes. Physically I am okay and I would have liked to play the last game against Poland, but it is the decision of the coach," he told reporters.

De Bruyne leaves after Belgium let slip a lead in Cardiff and allowed Wales to equalize in the 86th minute.

"It is a pity about the late equalizer," added De Bruyne. "We were in command at the beginning of the second half, but then we forgot to play football. But with all the changes in the team, it was not the worst performance."

"We lacked rhythm and all the players were fatigued, having already played many matches."

Martinez fumed about Wales' late goal, scored by Brennan Johnson and initially flagged offside but then awarded after a lengthy VAR check.

"A shocking decision," said the Belgian coach, adding that VAR wrongly reversed the linesman's decision.

"The lines don't seem to be parallel, the assistant was completely correct. We were robbed," he told Belgium´s VTM television.



Boca Edge Lanus on Penalties to Reach Apertura Quarter-finals amid Fan Unrest

Players of Boca Juniors look on during the penalty shootout of the Argentine Professional Football League 2025 Apertura Tournament match between Boca Juniors and Lanus at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on May 10, 2025. (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP)
Players of Boca Juniors look on during the penalty shootout of the Argentine Professional Football League 2025 Apertura Tournament match between Boca Juniors and Lanus at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on May 10, 2025. (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP)
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Boca Edge Lanus on Penalties to Reach Apertura Quarter-finals amid Fan Unrest

Players of Boca Juniors look on during the penalty shootout of the Argentine Professional Football League 2025 Apertura Tournament match between Boca Juniors and Lanus at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on May 10, 2025. (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP)
Players of Boca Juniors look on during the penalty shootout of the Argentine Professional Football League 2025 Apertura Tournament match between Boca Juniors and Lanus at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on May 10, 2025. (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP)

Boca Juniors claimed a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Lanus on Saturday to reach the Argentine Apertura tournament quarter-finals, following a tense 0-0 draw under a cloud of fan dissatisfaction at the La Bombonera stadium.
Boca goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin, who was pivotal in preserving the deadlock during the match, gave Boca an early advantage in the shootout by saving Alexis Canelo's opening kick.
Lanus winger Dylan Aquino then blazed a shot over the bar while Boca held their nerve, converting their first three penalties with confidence.
Substitute Milton Gimenez stepped up to convert the decisive spot-kick, sealing Boca's place in the next round where they will meet either Independiente or Independiente Rivadavia.
Despite the win, the mood at La Bombonera was far from festive, as local fans voiced their frustration with a series of underwhelming performances, directing chants at both the players and club management, Reuters reported.
"We definitely need to improve, but we achieved what we wanted to achieve, which was to get through the round. From here, we now have to work to improve," interim Boca coach Mariano Herron, who replaced sacked coach Fernando Gago last month, told reporters.
"We understand the fans' anger. We need to work to improve, but it's understandable that they weren't satisfied."
On the pitch, the match itself was low on quality, with neither side managing to assert dominance or create significant scoring opportunities.
Lanus had the best chance of the first half, with Ramiro Carrera's powerful long-range effort just before halftime, but Marchesin was on hand to make a crucial save.
"Fans can tell you how the match is going," Lanus captain Carlos Izquierdoz told ESPN.
"We attacked, we were well positioned, and the fact that their fans started to jeer means that we were doing things right. We were confident."
The Boca goalkeeper, however, continued to thwart Lanus, denying Marcelino Moreno early in the second half and making a series of interventions to keep the scoreline level, setting the stage for Boca's successful penalty shootout.
In the other Saturday last 16 fixtures, San Lorenzo secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Tigre, while Rosario Central made the most of their home advantage to knock Estudiantes out with a 2-0 victory.
Platense pulled off a major upset by claiming a late 1-0 win at Racing Club.