Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen put in a mixed performance for Belgium at the weekend.
Belgium came out on top in a dramatic World Cup qualifying match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the weekend.
At the centre of it all was Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen, who was making his record equalling 96th cap for his country.
Vertonghen let a goal slip with a piece of schoolboy defending, but redeemed himself by going on to score the winner.
He was defended by manager Roberto Martinez after the game, who told Nieuwsblad: “Actually, this was Jan Vertonghen at his best. First go wrong and correct that mistake.
“As mentioned, football is a game of mistakes. You can make one, but then you will work to make up for it. If you can, you are an excellent player.
“That’s Jan, so I am already looking forward to the celebration for his 97-cap record that will take place against Cyprus on Tuesday.”
The mistake should quickly be forgotten as it is so uncharacteristic of Vertonghen.
Tottenham fans will be relieved he made it for his country and not for them, while the actual game was meaningless for Belgium as they had already qualified for next summer’s World Cup.
The Spurs defender is part of his country’s ‘golden generation’ and the 2018 World Cup is their moment to live up to the hype.
If Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld reproduce their Tottenham form next summer, they will will provide the platform for success the team needs.
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