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WORLD CUP 2018: Exhilarating Belgium smash five past Tunisia

Belgium have thrashed Tunisia 5-2 in Moscow to book their place in the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup.

Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku scored a brace each as Roberto Martinez's men displayed their lethal attacking efficiency in front of 44,190 spectators at Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

Tunisia now exit the tournament after two losses, but they can leave encouraged after scoring twice against the Belgians, with Dylan Bronn and Whahib Khaziri getting on the scoresheet.

After enduring a slow start in their opening match against Panama, the Belgians came out firing with Hazard breaking the deadlock after six minutes.

The Chelsea superstar exchanged passes with Dries Mertens before bursting into the Tunisian box. His pace surprised Ben Youssef, who mistakenly upended his opponent, the referee quickly pointing to the penalty spot. The 27-year-old made no mistake, finishing cooly past Farouk Ben Mustapha.

Six minutes later, it was Lukaku who doubled Belgium's advantage. The in-form striker, who bagged two goals against Panama, latched onto Mertens' through pass before lashing a strike into Ben Mustapha's far bottom corner.

The Belgian fans had barely finished celebrating before Tunisia pegged one back. Wahbi Khazri's in-swinging free-kick was pounced upon by Dylan Bronn, whose header bounced off the pitch and past an outstretched Thibaut Courtois.

Encouraged by their goal, Tunisia begun to challenge Belgium's dominance. Sunderland winger Khazri, who spent last season on loan with Rennes, started to stretch Roberto Martinez's back-three. On the 33rd minute mark, the Tunisia captain finally got a yard of space before releasing a venomous 30-yard strike that wasn't held initially by Courtois.

The pressure couldn't be sustained by Tunisia and on the stroke of halftime it was Lukaku who would blow the game wide open.

Thomas Meunier was the provider this time, the PSG fullback slipping a deft through pass to Lukaku, who lifted the ball over the oncoming Ben Mustapha.

The 25-year-old's fourth goal of the tournament saw him break Jan Ceulemans's record for the most goals scored by a Belgian at major tournaments.

Belgium made it 4-1 shortly after the restart when Eden Hazard scored his second of the game. After a neat triangle in the middle of the park sucked in the Tunisian defence, Toby Alderweireld lifted an inch perfect through ball to Hazard, who rounded Ben Mustapha before finishing calmly into an open net.

Substitute Michy Batshuayi made it five for the Red Devils on the 90th minute mark, volleying home Youri Tielemans' defence splitting pass with clinical precision.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Khazri grabbed a consolation goal for his country after finishing off Naguez's cross.

Belgium have now booked their place in the knockout stages, while Tunisia will be heading home after two losses in as many games.





WORLD CUP - GROUP G

Belgium - 5 (Hazard 6' 51', Lukaku 16' 45', Batshuayi 90')

Tunisia - 2 (Bronn 18', Khazri 90+3)

Spartak Stadium, Moscow - 44,190

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Andrew Maclean
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