A second string Belgium thrash Belarus 8-0 in World Cup qualifying match

A second string Belgium thrash Belarus 8-0 in World Cup qualifying match

Belgium players celebrate their 8-0 win over Belarus

Belgium registered an emphatic 8-0 victory over minnows Belarus in their 3rd World Cup qualifying match. Roberto Martinez’s side bolstered their goal scoring record for the upcoming EUROs this summer in a glittering display of attacking football.

Braces from Vanaken and Trossard and a goal each from Benteke, Praet, Doku and Michy Batshuayi gave Belgium all 3 points as Martinez rested his regular starters for this match.

Belgium returned to winning ways after a 1-1 draw against Czech Republic in their previous match

Simon Mignolet was handed a rare start ahead of Thibaut Courtois in Belgium goal as Martinez rested key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku and Dries Mertens.

Michy Batshuayi started the rout in the 14th minute making the most of his start up front in the absence of Lukaku. Vanaken scored his first international goal 3 minutes later scoring form close range to double Belgium’s advantage inside 20 minutes. Trossard’s exquisite finish from 22 yards out made it 3-0 and Belarus players knew they were in for a long night.

Jeremy Doku made it 4-0 inside the first half when he lashed onto a ball just on the edge of the penalty area. The 8-0 defeat was Belarus’ heaviest defeat in their history and propelled Belgium to the top of Group E with 7 points.

Praet made it 5-0 in the 49th minute with a shot from outside the penalty area before substitute Benteke swivelled in to slam home a volley after long pass from Toby Alderweireld. Trossard doubled his international goal tally just 5 minutes after the Benteke strike as the Belgians continued to pile on Belarus’ miserable evening.

With two minutes left, Vanaken was set up by Adnan Januzaj for his second of the night to complete the rout, easily surpassing Belarus’ previous heaviest loss, 5-0 to Austria.

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