Belgium vs Tunisia, World Cup 2018:
England will be keenly watching this game in hope that Belgium slip up against Tunisia. Harry Kane earned England the three points against the northern African side, whose tenacious defending could frustrate Belgium.
Eden Hazard accused his teammates of hiding against Panama and said Lukaku ‘went missing’ as Belgium laboured to a 3-0 win. Kevin De Bruyne and Hazard struggled to find space in attacking areas and Lukaku only had seven touches in the first half, which means Belgium will have to improve on their opening game performance if they want to increase their superior goal difference. While their attack looked unbalanced, there were defensive issues too. Yannick Carrasco did an unconvincing job at left wing-back which could tempt Roberto Martinez to switch to a back four.
45 mins: Four minutes added time at the end of this first half, after plenty of injury stoppages and goal celebrations…the heat could play a part as the game nears it’s conclusion this afternoon, very warm conditions, and especially tough for the Tunisian’s who have had to chase the ball
41 mins: It’s another blow for Tunisia as they make their second enforced defensive change of the half due to injury.
Syam Ben Youssef OFF, Leicester’s Yohan Benalouane replaces him
36 mins: Tunisia have a habit of getting back into these games, however vulnerable they look in defence. Almost naively they continue piling forward and it’s paid off again as they get a goal on the board.
Khazri now down receiving treatment, but back on his feet and will hope to continue. A real threat for Tunisia.
33 mins: Talking of Khazri…he’s just hit a thunderbolt of a shot that almost caught out Courtois, but he eventually claims.
Meanwhile, Lukaku receives some treatment to his ankle off the pitch, and doesn’t look 100% fit. One to keep an eye out for in the coming minutes, especially with England to play next.
31 mins: Somehow Tunisia are still finding a way to create chances. Sassi, who had moments of quality against England and scored the penalty, had a shot from the edge of the area, but just wide this time. Khazri is a growing influence on this one…
27 mins: It should be a third for Belgium! Lukaku is through one-on-one with the keeper, but his touch lets him down. He goes down under contact with Ben Mustapha, but gets to his feet and tells the referee there was little contact.
Great sportsmanship.
22 mins: Goalscorer Bronn down for Tunisia, and it looks as though his game may be over, as his knee gave way whilst blocking a Carrasco shot.
Now we’ve had time to catch our breath, a bit more on the Tunisia goal. VAR had a look to see if there was an offside, but Bronn remained onside, an the technology did it’s job once again.
SUB: Bronn replaced by Hamdi Naguez for Tunisia
There’s been goals aplenty in this World Cup, we are now into the 27thgame without a goalless draw. Penalties also a feature of this tournament after the introduction of VAR, Hazard’s was the 13th so far.
That was my third attempt at writing those stats as both sides can’t seem to stop scoring!
18 mins: GOAL! Belgium 2-1 Tunisia (Dylan Bronn)
Great ball in from Khazri from a free kick, and Bronn glances a header past Thibaut Courtois. Tunisia back into it?
Crazy start to this one, three goals and we are only 20 minutes in!
16 mins: GOAL! Belgium 2-0 Tunisia (Romelu Lukaku)
Brilliant finish from Lukaku through the defender’s legs, and rifles his shot into the bottom corner. That’s his third of the tournament so far. Watch out England.
12 mins: After a short injury stoppage in play, Belgium are back on the front foot, and look dangerous in almost every attack. Tunisia still trying to attach, but they’re caught on the break, and Hazard fails to convert after a good cross from Lukaku
7 mins: GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Tunisia (Eden Hazard penalty)
Tunisia’s ‘keeper Ben Mustapha doesn’t move, and Hazard calmly slots home to give Belgium the lead. Fast start by Belgium, and more of the poor defending on show that we saw against England
6 mins: PENALTY! Syam Ben Youssef concedes a penalty against Eden Hazard! Tunisia think the foul was outside the box but replays show the contact was inside and the penalty is given
2 mins: A flying start from Belgium, as Eden Hazard is fouled, but Kevin De Bruyne can only deliver an awful free kick that dribbles to Farouk Ben Mustapha. Not one for the highlights reel for the Manchester City star
