Belgium vs Egypt. International Match.
King Baudouin StadiumAttendance27,724.
Belgium 3-0 Egypt: Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku score for hosts
Wednesday 6 June 2018 22:43, UK
Eden Hazard scored one and assisted another as Belgium beat Egypt 3-0 in a friendly in Brussels on Wednesday.
Drawn in World Cup Group G with England, Tunisia and tournament debutants Panama, Belgium are expected to comfortably advance into the second round.
However, head coach Roberto Martinez has yet to completely win over fans, and is sweating over the fitness of key defenders Thomas Vermaelen (thigh) and Vincent Kompany (groin).
Facing an Egypt side shorn of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in the 3-1 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid, Belgium were given a chance to patch over some recent difficulties during their preparation period.
Even a characteristically strong defensive display by the Pharaohs wasn't enough to contain the excellent Hazard, who played only the opening half.
Trending
- Man City beaten again at Aston Villa LIVE!
- Ipswich vs Newcastle LIVE!
- What time are Usyk and Fury in the ring?
- West Ham vs Brighton LIVE!
- Brentford vs Nottingham Forest LIVE!
- World Darts Championship: Dobey headlines afternoon session LIVE!
- Two changes for Rangers vs Dundee LIVE!
- Live on Sky - Crystal Palace vs Arsenal preview: Eze out for hosts
- EFL: Pompey thump Lampard's Coventry & all early highlights | 3pms LIVE!
- PL Predictions: More dropped points for Arsenal at Palace?
A superb ball from Hazard found Romelu Lukaku in space after 27 minutes and the Manchester United striker promptly scored his 34th goal for the national side.
Seven minutes before the interval Yannick Carrasco turned provider for Hazard to hit his 22nd goal for Belgium in 80 appearances.
In the final seconds another Premier League player, Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini, hit Belgium's third to cap what was a far more encouraging performance.
Elsewhere, Panama were beaten 1-0 by Norway, with Bournemouth's Joshua King scoring the only goal of the game in the fourth minute.