Euro 2016: Marc Wilmots labelled a genius after Belgium avoid horrendous knockout stage draw

BELGIUM were not at the races in their first game at Euro 2016 against Italy, but maybe there was a reason.

Croatia beating Spain to top spot in Group D made things very interesting on one side of the draw, and Belgium manager Marc Wilmots was being labelled as a genius.

Spain finished as runners up in Group D, meaning they will face Group E winners Italy in the second round.

Many expected Belgium to top Group E, but they were brushed aside by Italy in their opening game.

Perhaps now, looking at the draw, it wasn’t such a bad defeat after all.

If Belgium secure second place by beating Sweden on Wednesday, they will face a second-round clash against the winners of Group F.

Portugal are far from assured of winning that group and, as it stands, the Belgians would face Hungary in the last 16.

Whatsmore, this half of the draw would also contain Switzerland, Wales and Croatia with Germany, France, Italy, Spain and England all on the other side.

Wilmots has warned his players to be extra wary of Sweden talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the countries meet in their final Euro 2016 Group E game in Nice.

The Belgium boss said: “Zlatan could be a danger because it is perhaps his final game and he will obviously want to go out with a bang. But that will depend on us.

“We must avoid any emotional attachment. Even if the manager is going to retire, even if Ibrahimovic is going to retire, even if other players are going to retire. That is Sweden’s issue, not ours.”