Easy does it as Belgium hammer Tunisia

Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard scored two goals each in a dominant Belgium display yesterday, leading their team over Tunisia 5-2 in the highest scoring game of the World Cup.

The Red Devils were rampant at times and rested both forwards in the second half for tougher tests ahead. A spot in the round of 16 is almost certain after an opening 3-0 win over Panama – a point from Belgium’s last game against England in Kaliningrad will ensure a place in the round of 16.

Belgium had a two-goal lead within 16 minutes. Hazard scored with a sixth-minute penalty he earned by being tripped, and Lukaku angled a low, left-foot shot into the corner of the net.

‘‘We knew that if we scored early, the game would be easy,’’ Hazard said. ‘‘So after five minutes we scored, and we controlled the game.’’

The Tunisians cut the lead when defender Dylan Bronn headed in a goal in the 18th minute, but Belgium weren’t done.

Lukaku clipped a right-foot shot over advancing goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha in firsthalf stoppage time to match Cristiano Ronaldo with four goals as the tournament’s top scorers.

Hazard then ran on to a long pass in the 51st minute, flicked the ball around Ben Mustapha and shot into an empty net. Substitute Michy Batshuayi made it a rout in stoppage time.

Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri got his team’s second with almost the last kick of the match.

Belgium have looked the most complete attacking force at the World Cup, though without yet playing a European or South American team.