XtraTime Web Desk: As expected, Belgium opened their Euro 2020 qualifying journey with a convincing 3-1 win over Russia despite a huge mistake by Thibaut Courtois.
Quarter-finalist in France four years ago and semifinalist at the 2018 World Cup, Belgium took the lead after 14 minutes through Youri Tielemans’ powerful, low finish.
However, Courtois gifted Denis Cheryshev an equaliser soon after, with his blushes spared as former Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard’s penalty on the stroke of half-time restored his side’s advantage.
Hazard doubled his tally in the 88th minute to settle the Group I contest in Belgium’s favour before Aleksandr Golovin was sent off for a second yellow card.
The counter-attacking football that was a distinct feature of Belgium’s World Cup campaign proved key in opening the scoring as Michy Batshuayi crossed from the left for Timothy Castagne, who laid off for Tielemans to rifle into the bottom-left corner.
However, just under two minutes later Russia levelled in bizarre fashion as Courtois’ disappointing season continued. The Real Madrid goalkeeper received Jan Vertonghen’s backpass under no pressure but took too many touches and, being closed down by Artem Dzyuba, played the ball straight to Cheryshev, the Valencia winger making no mistake in skipping over Courtois and converting from a tight angle.
Batshuayi saw an effort cleared off the line as Belgium sought to restore its advantage, which Hazard did with a confident finish from the penalty spot after he was clumsily brought down by Yuri Zhirkov.
The left-hand post denied Batshuayi a deserved goal 12 minutes from time but he was involved as Hazard made it 3-1, teeing up his team-mate to fire in following Dries Mertens’ right-wing cross.
Golovin’s dismissal came two minutes later, as he ended a poor night with a second yellow after kicking out at Dries Mertens.