World Cup 2018: Belgium defeats Tunisia 5-2
Belgium have thrashed Tunisia 5-2 to move one step closer to the next round of the World Cup.
Eden Hazard opened the scoring for Belgium with a goal from the penalty spot before Romelu Lukaku extended the Belgium lead, Tunisia pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 before Lukaku restored the two goal cushion with a deftly chipped finish over the goalkeeper.
Second half goals from Hazard and Batshuayi finished the game as a contest before a consolation from Khazri with the last kick of the game.
If England avoid defeat against Panama tomorrow then Belgium will qualify for the knockout stages.
5 Things to take away from Belgium v Tunisia
Belgium's attacking threat
Belgium blew Tunisia away with goals from Hazard, Lukaku and Batshuayi, eventually winning 5-2, but they could easily have had 7/8 goals. The Belgian's were impressive going forward and their star quality shone through, this is the biggest win from any of the 'fancied teams' so far and will have sent a message to the other big nations around the tournament.
Belgium's defensive frailties
Belgium may have scored five goals and this sends a message out to other nations, but what will also send a message is the number of chances they conceded to Tunisia. The defending for the Tunisia's first goal was weak at best and will leave some bigger nations thinking that they can really get at the Belgian defence going forward.
Tunisia's collapse
Tunisia struggled badly in this game, they were far too open in the first half and in the second half they frankly looked like they gave up. Their star man Khazri may have scored a last minute consolation but he'd been missing for the previous 30 minutes and was almost hiding on the pitch. Tunisia really were poor so although you have to give credit to Belgium for their performance they weren't really tested.
Lukaku's golden boot chase
Romelu Lukaku is now tied with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top on the standings for the golden boot, he showed against Tunisia that he can put chances away clinically and going forward he will be crucial for Belgium's potential success.
The highs and lows of football
Tunisia's Dylan Bronn experienced ecstasy and agony in the game against Belgium, he scored Tunisia's first goal of the game before being stretchered off later in the first half, highlighting how much a game of football can change in only 45 minutes.
SOURCE: euronews
---DECRYPTED---