The group stage of the 2018 World Cup is gradually winding down with the second round of games currently being played across the groups.
A convincing 5-2 win over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia means the golden generation of Belgium (as they are fondly called) are well on their way into the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It all began with a penalty in the 5th minute after Eden Hazard was fouled by Ben Youssef on the line of the 18-yard box and the Belgian captain did well to convert.
Romelu Lukaku then doubled the lead within minutes after Dries Mertens picked up a loose ball in midfield to set up the Manchester United striker who finished with aplomb. Tunisia threw themselves right back in within two minutes of Lukaku’s goal thanks to Dylan Bronn who nodded beyond Courtois in goal to make it 2-1.
Not long after his goal, the Tunisian right back was stretchered off following an injury as both teams kept going for more goals with no intention to sit back. But it was Belgium who restored their two goal lead through Lukaku after he initially failed to connect with a good cut back from Kevin De Bruyne.
At 3-1 and with the intensity with which Belgium attacked each time they got the ball, the game definitely looked done and dusted for Tunisia who needed at least a point to keep qualification hopes alive. Hazard then added to the Eagles’ misery completing his brace and making it 4-1 in favour of the Belgian Red Devils.
With the game against England in mind, coach of the talented Belgian side Roberto Martinez rang the changes with all three forward men: Hazard, Lukaku and Mertens going off for Batshuayi, Tielemans and Fellaini.
Belgium looked relentless in attack as the injection of fresh players caused even more problems for the Tunisian defence who were forced into another defensive change due to injury early in the second half.
Finally in the 90th minute, Batshuayi who came on for Hazard scored Belgium’s 5th of the day off a cross from another substitute Tielemans. However before then, Batshuayi had a shot saved, one hitting the crossbar and another being cleared off the line. The Chelsea striker should really have scored at least a brace on the day but it wasn’t to be.
With three minutes added on and at 5-1, Tunisia kept attacking and soon got another goal through Wahbi Khazri in what was the last kick of an exciting and thrilling game of attacking football.
Belgium currently sit top of Group G with six points and a positive goal difference of six after the first two games. Tunisia have no point after two games while England in second place with three points will face Panama who also have no point tomorrow
