Kazakhstan 0-2 Belgium: Batshuayi and Meunier maintain perfect Group I record

Belgium has eight wins from eight games in Group I after an Eden Hazard-inspired 2-0 victory away to Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Published : Oct 13, 2019 22:07 IST

Michy Batshuayi celebrates putting Belgium ahead against Kazakhstan.
Michy Batshuayi celebrates putting Belgium ahead against Kazakhstan.
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Michy Batshuayi celebrates putting Belgium ahead against Kazakhstan.

Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier scored as Belgium won 2-0 in Kazakhstan to continue its perfect record in Euro 2020 qualifying.

Belgium became the first team to qualify with a 9-0 defeat of San Marino this week while Kazakhstan's hopes of reaching the finals were ended by Cyprus.

Batshuayi put Roberto Martinez's men in front at Astana Arena on Sunday and Meunier doubled the lead from a superb Eden Hazard pass.

The victory made it eight wins from eight in Group I for Belgium.

Kazakhstan made a breezy start but fell behind to Batshuayi's goal in the 21st minute.

Dries Mertens poked the ball through to Dennis Praet on the right and the full debutant whipped in a low cross that an unmarked Batshuayi stole in at the back post to convert.

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Belgium ensured victory with a second strike in the 53rd minute. Hazard's stunning ball over the Kazakhstan defence was placed perfectly into Meunier's path with the right-back driving a fine finish past Dmytro Nepogodov.

Batshuayi should have grabbed a second but could not stretch enough to turn in Mertens' left-wing cross.

Yan Vorogovskiy lashed a rare Kazakhstan opening over the crossbar and Thibaut Courtois saved a late Bauyrzhan Islamkhan free-kick to extend Belgium's run of clean sheets to seven qualifiers.

What does it mean? Belgium contenders for Euro 2020 crown

Belgium reached the semifinals at last year's World Cup - knocking out Brazil but losing to eventual winner France - and as FIFA's top-ranked team it will be among the favourites at Euro 2020. Martinez has quality throughout his team, with a genuine global star in Hazard, although there is perhaps a lack of depth in some key areas.

Hazard spark lights up contest

With little at stake it was an understandably low-tempo affair, but Hazard provided a moment of magic from which the game will be remembered. The Real Madrid star has not had the easiest start to life at his new club, but showed his quality by setting up Meunier in wonderful fashion.

Mertens flatters to deceive again

Having been peripheral in the rout of San Marino last time out, Mertens was no more impressive against more resilient opposition. He had four shots, more than anyone on the pitch, but none of them were on target to test Nepogodov.

What's next?

Euro 2020's qualifying group stage ends next month. Belgium is away to Russia then at home to Cyprus. Kazakhstan, which could still finish third, ends its campaign with a double-header on the road against San Marino and Scotland, the two teams below it in the group.

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