A proud day for Belgian football as the Red Devils secured the world number one spot for the first time in their history.
Thanks to their 3-1 victory over Israel on Tuesday night which secured them a top finish from Group B, the Red Devils overtook Argentina in the FIFA World Men’s rankings and gave their country a huge occasion to celebrate.
Belgium had already qualified after a 4-1 victory over Andorra on Saturday and Tuesday’s win kept them two points clear of Wales in the standings.
Israel’s hopes to travel to France next summer for the tournament has been ended by Belgium.
Belgium dominated possession throughout the game but could not get ahead in the first half. Dries Mertens missed a sitter with an open goal two metres out but he somehow shot wide.
But the Napoli star made up his mistake with a good finish from a Kevin De Bruyne pass on the 64th minute.
Manchester City’s most expensive player De Bruyne scored from a brilliant free kick on the 78th minute and Mertens was against fruitful for Belgium with the assist to Eden Hazard for the third and final goal.
Israel came close midway through the first half when Eran Zahavi curled a free-kick against the post. Tomer Hemed’s headed goal for Israel in the 88th minute was simply a consolation.
I am super pleased. Yes! No. 1 in the world,’ said Mertens on Belgium’s unlikely run from 71st place in 2007 to sweeping past Germany and Argentina over the past weekend to top place.
Here is the full match information-
Belgium: Mignolet, Vertonghen, Lombaerts, Kompany (Meunier 58), Alderweireld, Nainggolan, Fellaini (Witsel 65), Hazard, De Bruyne, Mertens, Romelu Lukaku (Origi 65).
Subs Not Used: Sels, Bakkali, Boyata, Kums, Depoitre, Cavanda, Chadli, Jordan Lukaku, Gillet.
Booked: De Bruyne, Lombaerts.
Goals: Mertens 64,De Bruyne 78,Hazard 84.
Israel: Marciano,Ben Haroush,Tibi, Ben Haim I, Dgani, Kayal (Damari 66),Yeini (Vermouth 77), Peretz, Ben Haim II (Reikan 59), Hemed, Zahavi.
Subs Not Used: Levy, Davidadze, Elkayami, Melikson, Dabour, Tzedek, Kahat, Haimov.
Booked: Reikan.
Goal: Hemed 88.
Ref: Tasos Sidiropoulos (Greece)