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WORLD CUP 2018, GROUP G: ROM ET HAZARD DOUBLE THUMPS NORTH AFRICANS

  
Chelsea man Eden Hazard on his lap of honour after getting on the scoresheet (Photo/EFE)
 
   Belgium faced off a less-fancied North African side in Tunisia, looking to make it Win No. 21 on the spin. A brightly lit up Sochi stadium waited in expectation. 
   Eden Hazard got the Europeans off in less than five minutes, with probably the coolest penalty you’ve ever seen all tournament. 1-0. Bolingoli next? You bet. Romelu Lukaku got on the mark after being put through by Napoli hitman Dries Mertens. Two in less than quarter of an hour for Roberto Martinez’s men. Dylan Bronn’s header via Wabhi Khazri’s set-piece sparking a fightback from the Africans. Did I hear you say comeback? Romelu Lukaku at the double in first half stoppage time. That goal made him Belgium's all-time top scorer at the Fifa World Cup (4). Game took a break, as the ref sent both sides to the dressing rooms at 3-1.
  Second half got off, having the same pattern of the first. And soon the lead was tripled. Centre back Toby Aldeweireld pickout from the halfway line setting up Chelsea man Eden Hazard for his second of the competition. That’s 22 goals he’s involved in for Belgium since qualifying. Instrumental.
Michy Bathsuayi came on late on to add to the tally, thanks to Youri Tielemans’ fine centre. Tunisia pulled one back though captain Wabhi Khazri. 5-2 it finished. Goals, goals, goals.
   Are you quaking, Gareth Southgate? Next up for the winners are British Neighbours England. Failure to get past Panama, makes that encounter the more promising: as England would be on the knife edge.

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