Sunday Mail (UK)

JUST LUK BEFORE YOU WEEP Rom stars but could miss England with Eden

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“Today we are allowed to celebrate. The whole of Belgium is allowed to celebrate. I don’t know the last time Belgium scored five times in a World Cup.

“But we have to be realistic. This game was open because Tunisia had to win. It was a great game to watch as a neutral but that doesn’t mean we’re the finished article.” Tougher tests lie ahead for Belgium, starting with the England clash, but Martinez’s side have hit the ground running in Russia.

Eight goals scored and only two conceded, there is a swagger about the Red Devils, with Hazard at his mesmerisin­g best and Lukaku leading the race for the Golden Boot with four goals along with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Martinez added: “Individual awards in any tournament are a consequenc­e of the work you do on the pitch.

“Romelu will try to score as many goals as he can but not at all costs. We have the right attitude and we’re working hard as a team.

“Romelu, like any other player, is well aware the only thing that matters is to keep working hard as a team and the consequenc­e of that is you get your individual rewards.

“In front of goal he’s as clinical as you would expect. But we need to get better. We didn’t manage the ball well enough and should have controlled situations better.

“We were really sharp in front of goal and the understand­ing behind the forward players was very good.

“It’s about getting the right balance on the pitch. I saw a team that was prepared to suffer and work for each other.

“When you have that , individual­s can show their talents. The players appreciate­d that we had to work hard and we got the benefit of that.”

Belgium took the lead in the sixth minute, Hazard winning and converting a penalty. The lead was doubled 10 minutes later. Dries Mertens fed Lukaku, who produced a clinical angled finish.

Tunisia gave themselves hope in the 18th minute, Dylan Bronn pulling one back with a header.

Lukaku required treatment to an ankle issue midway through the first half but carried on and made it 3-1 just before half-time.

Tunisia conceded possession cheaply, with Thomas Meunier slipping the bal l through to Lukaku who produced a deft dink over the keeper.

Hazard made it 4-1 in 51 minutes from Toby Alderweire­ld’s through ball, bringing it under control with his chest before taking it past the keeper and producing an assured finish.

Lukaku came off a minute before the hour mark to be replaced by his Old Trafford teammate Marouane Fellaini.

Hazard followed Lukaku in the 68th minute but the changes did not derai l Martinez’s impressive­looking side.

Sub Michy Batshuayi , who came on for Hazard, had a shot cleared of f the line with 15 minutes left, thudded an effort against the underside of the bar and had another chance saved.

Batshuayi did finally score to make it 5-1 late on but there was still time for Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri to pull one back in added time.

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