Hazard brothers ensure Belgium’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

Belgium secured their place at the 2022 World Cup after qualifying as group winners following their 3-1 win over Estonia.

Christian Benteke came out of the international wilderness to grab a rare international goal. With Romelu Lukaku out injured, it only took Benteke 11 minutes to be in the right place to poke the ball into an empty net after Yannick Carrasco’s cross went under goalkeeper Matvei Igonen.

It was the first time in two years the 30-year-old had scored a goal for his country. Earlier on in the week, he told the Belgium press “If given the minutes on the pitch I will score goals.” He kept his word and looked lean and mean and worked hard throughout the first half of the game.

Igonen was kept busy in the first half with his finest save coming when he touched a great free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne onto the crossbar.

The woodwork came to the rescue again when a point-blank shot from Benteke smashed off the post. Somehow Estonia survived to half-time only a goal down with Eden Hazard breaking free but again the goalkeeper made a great save.

However, it only took eight minutes in the second half for Belgium to double their lead with Carrasco smashing a shot straight into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Estonia somehow made it 2-1 on the night with 20 minutes left to play. Thibaut Courtois could only parry a shot straight back out to Erik Sorga who fired the ball into the back of the net.

Thorgan Hazard came on for his brother Eden Hazard and brought the tempo of the game up a bit. Belgium made it 3-1 after a beautiful cross from De Bruyne found the substitute at the back post to head in and secure the Red Devils’ place at next year’s World Cup.

Roberto Martinez’s side deserved their win and played some great stuff throughout the qualifying using various players to emphasise the strength and depth of the squad. A year is a long time in football but maybe next year is the year for the famous golden generation of Belgium football.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt

Share and Enjoy !

Shares
Mark Szczuka

Recent Posts

A tough test at home for the Portland Timbers in the Wildcard match against RSL

(8) Portland Timbers vs (9) Real Salt Lake Wednesday, October 22, 2025 KO 7:30 PM…

10 hours ago

New England Revolution 2025 End of Season Review

FOXBOROUGH, MA– New England Revolution have completed the 2025 MLS Season with a record of…

1 day ago

San Diego wins the top of West in memorable inaugural MLS season

It was a busy day in Portland, the “No Kings March” that had gathered earlier…

1 day ago

Angel City honors Press and Riley in final home match

For its last home match of the 2025 season, it was all about honoring its…

3 days ago

Gotham draw drops them to seventh

Gotham FC 2-2 Racing Louisville HARRISON, NJ--The good news is that Gotham FC will be…

3 days ago