Welcome to live coverage of the international friendly between Belgium and Tunisia.
This was Belgium's penultimate match before the World Cup kicks off and despite a hailstorm which delayed the game by 40 minutes, they eventually came through victorious thanks to a late Dries Mertens goal.
It wasn't the most convincing display from the home side, but read how the action unfolded below.
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Belgium's final 'official' World Cup warm up game here on Sports Mole. The tournament's dark horses will be keen to keep their momentum going, and a win here tonight over Tunisia will give them an added boost before their first Group H game against Algeria in ten days time.
Manager Marc Wilmots will be eager to see his side continue from where they left off on Sunday, when they dispatched Sweden 2-0 courtesy of goals from Chelsea pair Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard.
Wilmots' men do have another game on Thursday - an 'unofficial friendly' against the USA in Sao Paulo - by which time Brazil would've kicked off the real proceedings down the road against Croatia.
Anyway, back to tonight, and let's take a look at the starting line ups.
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vertonghen; Defour, Dembele; Mirallas, Fellaini, Hazard; Origi.
A very Premier League friendly line up from the Belgian's, with a number of their players plying their trade on these shores. An attacking trio of Kevin Mirallas, Marouane Fellaini and Eden Hazard start behind sole striker Divock Origi of Lille. Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is on the bench.
Subs: Bossut, Mignolet, Vermaelen, Lombaerts, Vanden Borre, Ciman, Witsel, De Bruyne, Januzaj, Chadli, Lukaku, Mertens.
Christian Benteke is missing from this Belgium squad remember, with the Aston Villa forward's ruptured achilles tendon keeping him out of this summer's festivities unfortunately.
Tunisia: Mustapha, Mikari, Abdennour, Ben Youssef, Mohsni, Nater, Dhaouadi, Korbi, Jemâa, Mathlouthi, Ben Youssef.
I have to admit, there aren't too many household names in that Tunisian line-up, with their better known players of the late 90s and early 00s all long gone from the team now.
Prediction: Unsurprisingly, I'm plumping for the Belgians here tonight. Their final match on home soil before they travel to South America so they'll want to go off on a high, and I don't believe the Tunisians will have enough quality to trouble them. I'd be stunned if this is anything other than a routine 3 or 4-0 victory to the Red Devils.
Kick off And the Belgian's get us under way.
Slow start from Belgium here, although Fellaini is trying to influence things. Despite his poor form for Manchester United this season, he's trying to show that he's still a key man for his country.
Still no clear shots from either side so far, although Belgium have had a couple of speculative efforts which have been blocked.
Hazard hasn't got into this one yet, although in truth none of the Belgian's have.
Potential for Belgium here, as they win a free kick 25 yards out.
Mirallas wastes it, drilling it straight into the wall.
Tunisia cannot win the ball back at the moment, with the Belgian's knocking it around at exhibition pace.
Tunisia break away, with Jemâa sprinting down the left. He looks for a teammate to pull back to but none of the men in white can keep up with him and the Belgian's clear. A warning for the home side though.
Hazard's edge of the box attempt stings the palms of Mustapha, who parries well.
The Belgian's knock the ball around and try to carve out an opportunity. It appears that Hazard will try another long ranger but instead he crosses for Fellaini, but the out-swinger is poor and Mustapha makes an easy claim.
The crowd clap for the first time tonight although only for Fellaini's header, which is weak. He met Alderweireld's cross from the right with a downward header, and the keeper is again untroubled.
This is comfortable from Belgium and you feel like they will probably break the deadlock before half time. But this isn't the sort of performances to scare their World Cup rivals just yet.
STOPPAGE The referee has called time on the game temporarily! The hail is pelting down, and although the game didn't seem under threat, the officials have seen enough for now and the players have left the field!
This is not how Belgium would have liked their preparations to go at all. This game looks in serious doubt of finishing now, as a layer of hail coats the surface.
The crowd aren't going anywhere! They firmly believe that this weather will subside and the players will re-emerge.
This is unbelievable weather for June! If you're due to go on holiday to Brussels any time soon, take a jacket with you.
It looks like the hail has stopped, and the officials are on the pitch seemingly making a decision on the future of this match.
The golf ball sized hail stones are still coming down. The fans are still in the stands but I'm not sure that this game will be restarting. If there is a risk of injury to Belgium's players, surely they will opt to call this one off?
The Red Devils fans are literally soaking up the atmosphere, starting a conga-line along the side of the pitch. Unbelievable scenes here.
The pitch is being cleared by groundsmen, and I'm hearing that this game will resume in ten minutes. Fingers crossed.
Sorry for the sparse updates but it's all been a little confusing tonight. I think the players are going to re-enter the pitch shortly but of course, you will be kept updated.
GAME BACK ON We have two teams! The pitch has seemingly been given the ok and now the players are heading back on. Here we go!
Vincent Kompany is jogging and getting himself warmed up again. We're two minutes from a restart I think.
Wilmots' team are readying themselves under almost clear blue skies now. It's been a crazy hour here but we're finally set to get back underway.
We appear to have a further delay. The pitch is clear, the players are out, the fans are singing, but at the moment it has not restarted.
Courtois' net appears to have a small hole in the top of it, and that is what is causing further delay here. Things have become farcical and I cannot believe they are going to these lengths for a friendly match.
GAME RESTARTS Finally, we begin again, with Mirallas taking a corner for the Belgian's. It's easily cleared, but a huge cheer rings around the stadium nonetheless.
The Belgian's aren't happy after a strong challenge on Alderweireld. An unnecessary tackle this close to the World Cup. The right back is ok though.
It's a strange game now, with both teams looking to get back into their rhythm after the lengthy delay.
Yellow Card Abdennour is shown the first booking of the night for a strong tackle on Mirallas.
It appears that it wasn't the tackle Abdennour was booked for, it was for his reaction to the concession of a corner. He screamed in the assistant referee's face and was rightly cautioned.
Hazard tries to thread a ball through to Origi, but the Tunisian defence once again mop up. They're proving a tough nut to crack.
Belgium are back bossing possession, with over 60 per cent of the ball. They're not creating; I'd say it's more of a probing at the moment. Dembele becomes the latest to have a through ball attempt cut out.
Chance Origi goes the closest we've been to breaking the deadlock! Dembele's cross from the right finds the Lille forward, but he pokes it just wide of the right hand upright.
Once again Belgium get down Tunisia's right. If they're going to score, it's likely that it will come from that side.
Yellow Card Vertonghen is booked for a bad tackle. Fellaini's handball led to a free-kick which put his side in trouble and the Spurs man then conceded a foul and saw yellow for it.
Half-time Belgium 0-0 Tunisia
Well, that was a curious half of football. It feels like we've had one half-time already with the 40 minute delay which occurred.
It's difficult to analyse that half properly in truth. Belgium looked good before the hail fell from the sky, but since the restart both sides have stagnated in possession and neither looked close to scoring.
Tunisia have frustrated Belgium whenever they have got forward, and the lack of clear cut chances against inferior opposition could be a worry for Wilmots ahead of Brazil. Perhaps we'll see Lukaku soon?
Apologies for the delay in coverage - technical fault.
Sorry for the technical problems here, but finally we're back.
RED CARD In the time we've been away, Tunisia have been reduced to ten men. Issam Jemaa appears to be the man sent off, being shown a second yellow card.
The game remains goalless, but it would be a surprise if Belgium couldn't break down the reduced Tunisian numbers now.
For the meantime though, Tunisia have a free kick after a clumsy tackle by Kompany. Ben Youssef's header meets Mikari's free kick, but it's just too high and floats over Courtois' crossbar. The best opening that the African's have created though.
Hazard and Dries Mertens - who has come on as sub - probe down the Belgian left, but to no avail.
Substitution Hazard's night is over, replaced by Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj.
Januzaj turns in space and has a shot from 25 yards. The keeper is left untroubled, but it shows confidence from the teenager to take on the chance.
Mertens travels with the ball and is upended. Free kick for the Belgians 30 yards out.
Close! The ball is rolled to Vertonghen, who smashes a left footed pile-driver towards goal. It just misses the left upright, but that's better from Belgium and Wilmots gives the thumbs up.
Januzaj wins a corner, which Mertens whips in. Tunisia clear but the ball almost breaks back to Lukaku. You get the feeling that the hosts are going to up the tempo for the last ten minutes.
Another corner for Belgium, and it's another wasted try. However, again the ball breaks away and again Vertonghen hits hard and low and it goes just wide.
CHANCE Brilliant from Januzaj, who has looked very lively indeed. He gets to the byline and whips the ball in, but Vanden Borre heads wide when he really should have done better.
Belgium are piling on the pressure now, winning a succession of corners. From the latest one, Mustapha is hurt and there's a stop in play.
Mustapha is still down, allowing a chance to see Vanden Borre's header again. He really should have opened the scoring for Belgium there.
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Tunisia (Dries Mertens)
Brilliant goal from Belgium and substitute Dries Mertens. A decent move from the home side saw the forward slipped in by Chadli and as Mustapha came out, Mertens cooly slotted home.
Belgium probably do deserve the win here, but this has been less than convincing from a team who have aspirations of being the surprise package of Brazil 2014.
Substitution This looks troubling for Belgium, as Lukaku limps off. He went down after a 50/50 challenge in the Tunisia box, and he's been replaced by Axel Witsel. He claps the fans but he looks sheepish and departs down the tunnel. Hopefully that's not too bad for the Chelsea man.
The ten men earn a corner and a bobble in the box ends with Mathlouthi striking over.
FULL TIME Belgium 1-0 Tunisia
Well that's it then, Dries Mertens' late winner proving enough for the hosts. This was a somewhat unconvincing display, although Belgium were the better side. Tunisia did very well, especially after being reduced to ten men, but their luck ran out three minutes from time.
Belgium will have to do more to get past Russia, South Korea and Algeria in Group H, but Wilmots will be pleased to have another game and confidence boosting win under their belts.
The only concern for the Belgians was that injury to Lukaku late on. Hopefully it was just a minor knock and he was taken off as a precaution, but it's worrying nonetheless.
Thanks for joining us tonight on Sports Mole. I couldn't do much about the hailstorm during the first half but I can apologise for the technical delay during the second half! Join us again when once the World Cup gets underway next week.
Written by
Joe McPhee
Joe McPhee
