Renan Bressan inspired Belarus to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Georgia as they opened their World Cup qualifying account in Group I.
Georgia suffer second defeat in France and Spain's Group I
Renan Bressan inspired Belarus to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Georgia as they opened their World Cup qualifying account in Group I.
Bressan, who scored in BATE Borisov's shock Champions League win over Bayern Munich earlier this month, broke the deadlock in Minsk inside six minutes and set up the second goal for Stanislav Dragun.
Dragun served notice of what was to come when he threatened in the second minute by shooting wide, but it was only a further five minutes before Bressan gave the home side the lead with a low right-footed finish from six yards.
The BATE playmaker turned provider in the 28th minute when his delivery from the left channel was headed in by Dragun.
Control
Those two goals put Belarus in control after a first half in which Bressan went close twice more, while Georgia's limited threat amounted to little more than David Targamadze's often optimistic free-kicks.
In the second period, Vitaly Rodionov was denied by keeper Nukri Revishvili and then hit the post as Belarus sought to put the result beyond doubt.
Jaba Kankava headed wide from close range in Georgia's clearest sight of goal, while Alexander Kobakhidze and Levan Kenia were off target from 25 yards.
The much-needed win avenged Belarus' opening defeat in Tbilisi, since when they have lost to France and Spain.
