Romelu Lukaku drew level with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the World Cup goal-scoring charts on Saturday, scoring twice as Belgium moved to the brink of the last 16 after a 5-2 romp against Tunisia.
Syam Ben Youssef took out Eden Hazard just as the Belgian skipper was about to take control of the ball inside the penalty box. The referee pointed towards the spot even after the Tunisian players complained that Harazd was tackled outside of the box. The Belgium number 10 then calmly slotted home the ball from the spot to give Belgium the lead.
Another bad piece of play from Tunisia gifted Belgium their second goal of the day. Ali Maaloul gave the ball after 16 minutes to allow Dries Mertens to drive forward before rolling it into the path of Romelu Lukaku to plant it low into the corner.
Tunisia were handed a linelife when Dylan Bronn slotted home a header in emphatic style just couple of minutes after Lukaku’s goals. Bronn jumped the highest and planted the ball into the back of the net to expose Belgium’s shaky defence.
Just when Tunisia were starting to grow into the match, another error from one of their players cost them a goal on the brink of half-time. Following a misplaced pass. Thomas Meunier fed the ball to Lukaku, who chipped the ball over a diving keeper to score his second of the game.
An inch-perfect Kevin de Bruyne pass sent Hazard clear for his second six minutes after the restart, the midfielder showing superb balance and skill to round keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha.
Substitute Batshuayi then had a remarkable last 20 minutes, having a shot cleared off the line, hitting the bar inexplicably from point-blank range and having another effort brilliantly saved. However, the striker was finally rewarded for his hard work when he slotted home Belgium’s fifth of the match.
