BELGIUM 5 TUNISIA 2 LUK of
ROBERTO MARTINEZ vowed to make “major changes” for Belgium’s World Cup showdown with England on Thursday.
Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku both scored twice as Belgium dismantled Tunisia to make it two wins from two to top Group G.
But Martinez is likely to be without both when they face Gareth Southgate’s side in Kaliningrad in a game that will determine the winners of the group.
Chelsea winger Hazard and Manchester United striker Lukaku both picked up injuries in the comfortable win, with Martinez set to rest both against England.
“Lukaku picked up an ankle injury, Hazard picked up a calf injury,” said Martinez. “There will be major changes against England.
“Lukaku has an external ankle ligament. He tried to play on but couldn’t. If we had seven days to prepare it would be the same starting line-up. The reality is we have qualified, so there will be opportunities to give minutes to other players.
“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.”
More stern tests lie ahead for Belgium, starting with the England encounter, 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.
“Individual awards in any tournament are a consequence of the work you do on the pitch,” said Martinez. “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.
“Romelu is well aware the only thing that matters is to keep working 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. When you have that, individuals can show their talents. I was delighted with the attitude. 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 after Syam Ben Youssef’s foul. The lead was doubled 10 minutes later, Dries Mertens feeding Lukaku, who scored with 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 ball to Lukaku, who produced a deft dink over keeper Ben Mustapha.
Hazard made it 4-1 in the 51st minute, scampering on to a Toby Alderweireld through-ball, bringing it under control with his chest before taking it past the keeper with an assured finish.
Lukaku’s contribution ended with his withdrawal a minute before the hour-mark, replaced by Manchester United teammate Marouane Fellaini. Hazard followed Lukaku in the 68th minute, but the change did not derail Martinez’s side.
Substitute Michy Batshuayi, who came on for Hazard, met Youri Tieleman’s cross to make it 5-1, with Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri pulling one back in added
time.