One of the last matches in Group H saw Belgium beat Cyprus 4-0 at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, according to Four Four Two Sports. The Belgians put forth a dominant performance, controlling most of the encounter. Eden Hazard notched the opener in the twelfth minute to put his side ahead throughout the first-half. Seven minutes into the start of second half, Thorgan Hazard doubled the lead in the fifty-second minute. Later on, Eden Hazard extended the goal difference in the sixty-eighth minute before substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the victory by scoring the fourth goal.
Cyprus made few attempts upfield, setting up a handful of opportunities but were unable to score a goal. Belgium finished as leaders of the group with 28 points, while Cyprus ended fifth with just ten points. Here are the three things observed in the match.
Belgium leads the way in Europe
Despite the absence of their key players, Roberto Martinez's side showed how dominant they can be taking on any team. Throughout the encounter the Red Devils controlled the game, creating chances and converting them all. Their dreadful attackers apparently intimated an impotent Cyprus's back line. Eden Hazard was the danger man in Belgium attack as he persistently launched one on one counter attacks on Cyprus's half.
At the other side, Cyprus lack tactical approach to the game, creating few goal-scoring opportunities, and they made several individual stumbles especially in their defense, giving Belgium strikers the opportunity to constantly test their goalkeeper from all angles. Before now, Belgium became the first European nation to qualify for Russia 2018 in September.
They won nine matches out of ten in Group H.
The Hazard brothers were fantastic
It was a special occasion for the Hazard brothers as they were fantastically impressive in the match, scoring goals that gave Belgium the victory. The two brothers constantly launched offensive assaults on Cyprus's half, and they were clinically brilliant at finishing up chances they had.
Furthermore, it was the first time Thorgan joined Eden in Belgium's starting XI. Thorgan Hazard is the younger brother of Chelsea's Eden Hazard. Considering his solid performances in Belgium's impressive World Cup campaign, Thorgan Hazard is a promising star to watch out for in Russia 2018.
Jan Vertonghen becomes Belgium most capped player
It was also a special occasion for Tottenham's center back Jan Vertonghen, who became Belgium's most-capped player. Vertonghen made his 97th appearance for Belgium in the match. One more than Jan Ceulemans, who held the previous record of ninety-six appearances for Belgium since 1991. Jan Vertonghen was handed the captaincy hand ban for the match, and he absolutely did well leading the team victoriously.
