Belgium goal party at Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Saturday (23/6) tonight. Belgium beat Tunisia with a fantastic score of 5-2. Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard each scored two goals in this match. This victory at once makes the team nicknamed the Red Devils are making sure to set foot into the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup.
First round
Belgium appear pressing since the beginning of the game. They instantly created the first opportunity in the first minute. Unfortunately Kevin de Bruyne free kick landed in the catch of goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha.
The next minute it was Romelu Lukaku's turn to give a threat. Again his movement was thwarted Ben Mustapha. Thomas Meunier tried his luck in the third minute. However, his shot was successfully secured by Ben Mustapha.
The referee awarded a penalty to Belgium in the fifth minute. The decision was taken following the violation of Syam Ben Youssef to Eden Hazard in the forbidden box. Despite protests, the referee did not budge on his decision.
Hazard executes the penalty perfectly. He managed to outwit Ben Mustapha as well as bringing Belgium winning 1-0 in the sixth minute.
A very beautiful cross presented Lukaku to the heart of the Tunisian defense in the 12th minute. The ball was successfully received by Hazard. Unfortunately sontekannya still successfully thwarted Ben Mustapha.
The Hazard-Lukaku combination is really a frightening specter for Tunisia. Lukaku perfected thru pass Hazard with a horizontal shot that Ben Mustapha failed to deny. Belgium took a 2-0 lead in the 16th minute.
Tunisia responded quickly. They minimized the position to 1-2 through goals Dylan Bronn in the 18th minute. Starting from Wahbi Khazri free kick, header Bronn failed to secure goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The confidence of the Tunisian players increased sharply after Bronn's goal. They play attack and dare to create threats to the Belgian goalkeeper. One of them performed Ferjani Sassi in the 31st minute. Unfortunately the ball is still widening.
Tusia again get a chance kick on target Khazri in the 32nd minute. Only the ball successfully secured Courtois. Volley from outside the penalty box made Fakhreddine Ben Youssef 38 minutes. But the direction of the ball is still deviated.
Tunisia have already made two substitutions in the first half. Two injured players, namely Dylan Bronn and Syam Ben Youssef replaced Hamdi Nagguez and Leicester City defender Yohan Benalouane.
Belgium almost doubled the position in injury time. Starting from the bait Hazard to De Bruyne, the ball was then thrust into the direction of Lukaku. Unfortunately the Manchester United striker failed to reach the ball.
Lukaku paid the previous mistake with his second goal in the 45th minute + 3. After receiving a short Meunier feed, Lukaku very calmly beat goalkeeper Ben Mustapha. Belgium closed the first half with a 3-1 lead.
Second round
Eden Hazard brought Belgium ahead when the second half just entered the 51st minute. After receiving a long pass from Toby Alderweireld, Hazard outwitted two Tunisian central defenders before deceiving goalkeeper Ben Mustapha. Belgium leads 4-1.
Yannick Carrasco tried his luck in the 62nd minute. He kick off the curve from outside the penalty box after getting a short bait Hazard. Unfortunately the direction of the ball deviated thin on the left of the goal.
Belgium began to rest its key players midway through the second half. After Lukaku replaced Marouane Fellaini in the 59th minute, Eden Hazard's turn was pulled out in the 68th minute. His role was replaced by Michy Batshuayi.
The absence of Lukaku and Hazard did affect the Belgian game. But the effect is very small. Because Belgium still has aggressive players like De Bruyne, Dries Mertens, Carrasco and Batshuayi.
The opportunity of gold obtained by Belgium through sontekan left foot Batshuayi 76 minutes. Although successfully past goalkeeper Ben Mustapha, Chelsea striker kick was successfully wiped out Yassine Meriah.
Batshuayi almost listed his name on the scoreboard in the 79th minute. He took advantage of Carrasco kicks throwing balls that failed to catch the goalkeeper. But his shot strikes the bar.
Batshuayi again get a chance in the 81st minute. This is their third chance in five minutes. However Batshuayi returned his name on the scoreboard. His left leg volley was successfully thwarted Ben Mustapha.
Batshuayi's curiosity finally paid off after he scored in the 90th minute. Welcoming the hull of substitute Youri Tielemans, Batshuayi left-footed leap forward gave Belgium a 5-1 lead.
Batshuayi almost scored both goals in the 90th minute + 2. Unfortunately his shot widened. Tunisia reduced the scoring with a Khazri goal a few seconds before the game ended. Score 5-2 for Belgium lasted until the long whistle.
Composition of Belgian vs Tunisia Players
Belgium
1-Thibaut Courtois, 5-Jan Vertonghen, 20-Dedryck Boyata, 2-Toby Alderweireld, 6-Axel Witsel, 7-Kevin De Bruyne, 11-Yannick Carrasco, 15-Thomas Meunier, 14-Dries Mertens (17-Youri Tielemans , 86 '), 10-Eden Hazard (21-Michy Batshuayi, 68'), 9-Romelu Lukaku (8-Marouane Fellaini, 59 ')
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Tunisia
1- Faroan Ben Mustapha, 2-Syam Ben Youssef (3- Yohan Benalouane, 41 '), 4-Yassine Meriah, 11-Dylan Bronn (21-Hamdi Nagguez, 24'), 12-Ali Maaloul, 9-Anice Badri, 13-Ferjani Sassi (23-Naim Sliti, 59), 17-Ellyes Skhiri, 7-Saîf-Eddine Khaoui, 8-Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, 10-Wahbi Khazri
Coach: Nabil Maaloul
Referee: Jair Marrufo (United States)