Romelu Lukaku has bailed out a lacklustre Belgium with a late goal in Saturday's World Cup Group H qualifier with Greece at the King Baudouin Stadium, which finished as a 1-1 draw.
The hosts fell behind to a Kostas Mitroglou strike just seconds into the second half, but the Everton striker volleyed home in the 90th minute to break Hellenic hearts.
Roberto Martinez's charges remain top of Group H by virtue of superior goal difference over the second-placed Greeks, with both sides boasting four wins and a draw at the halfway point of the qualifiers.
Here is how Sports Mole covered the action in Brussels.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the World Cup Group H qualifying match between Belgium and Greece in Brussels.
Tonight's match at the King Baudouin Stadium sees the top two sides in Group H face off in a game which could have a big say in who qualifies directly for the World Cup finals in Russia.
Both Belgium and Greece are unbeaten this campaign, with Roberto Martinez's men boasting a 100 percent record from their four matches played, putting them at the top of the group on 12 points.
Michael Skibbe's charges, meanwhile, salvaged a 1-1 draw last time out against Bosnia & Herzegovina after three successive wins, putting them second in the group on 10 points.
Greece have certainly bounced back from the shame of finishing bottom of the group in Euro 2016 qualifying, and now look to be the sturdy side of old, though tonight will be by far the biggest test that they will face in qualifying.
Without further ado, let's have a look at the team news for tonight's clash.
BELGIUM STARTING XI: Courtois, Alderweireld, Ciman, Vertonghen (c), Witsel, Nainggolan, Fellaini, Chadli, Carrasco, Mertens, Lukaku
GREECE STARTING XI: Kapino, Tzavellas, Manolas, Fortounis, Mitroglou, Torosidis, Tachtsidis, Papastathopoulos, Mantalos, Stafylidis, Samaris
There are two notable absences for Belgium, as Premier League duo Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne both sit this game out. The Chelsea man pulled out on Monday with a calf problem, while the Manchester City star injured his groin in training.
Martinez has made four changes in all to the Belgium side that started November's 8-1 hammering of Estonia. Hazard, De Bruyne and Paris Saint-Germain right-back Thomas Meunier all drop out of the squad through injury, while Anderlecht defensive midfielder Leander Dendoncker drops to the bench.
Drafted into the starting XI instead are Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld, Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, West Bromwich Albion winger Nacer Chadli and Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
As for Greece, Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis is for several weeks after sustaining a microfracture in his right hand, while Kyriakos Papadopoulos is suspended after clashing with Edin Dzeko in Greece's 1-1 draw with BIH last year.
Skibbe has made three changes to the starting XI, with Stefanos Kapino replacing Karnezis in between the sticks, Kostas Manolas in place of Papadopoulos, and Panagiotis Tachtsidis replacing the benched Giannis Maniatis.
BELGIUM SUBS: Mignolet, Sels, Casteels, Vermaelen, T. Hazard, Mirallas, Foket, Dendoncker, Origi, Tielemans, Dembele, Benteke, Batshuayi
GREECE SUBS: Kyriakidis, Glykos, Ikonomou, Tziolis, Zeca, Siopis, Maniatis, Androutsos, Vallios, Bakasetas, Gianniotas, Diamantakos
HEAD TO HEAD: Belgium and Greece have met seven times over the years. The first encounter, in a World Cup 1986 qualifier on 19 December 1984, was a goalless draw, while the last fixture was another draw (this time 1-1) in a friendly on 29 February 2012.
The record currently stands at three wins for Greece, two wins for Belgium, and two draws.
Despite being a clash of the group's top two sides, Belgium are highly fancied to come out on top tonight. Not only have they scored 21 goals, but they have conceded just once in their four qualifiers so far.
Greece, in comparison, have managed nine goals versus the four sides against whom tonight's opponents managed 21 strikes, and needed a 90th minute wonder strike from Georgios Tzavellas to draw 1-1 with Bosnia & Herzegovina last time out. Not bad by any means, but they will need to be on top of their game to stand up to arguably one of the strongest sides in the world, considering the Red Devils' quality in virtually every position.
Full time in the other two fixtures in Group H and Bosnia are snapping on Greece's heels thanks to a 5-0 win over Gibraltar, while Cyprus and Estonia have played out a goalless draw. A three-horse race then, as was very much expected when the draw was made.
PREDICTION: Time for me to have a go at predicting tonight's result at the King Baudouin Stadium. For all of Greece's improvements since their poor form in Euro 2016 qualifying, I cannot see past a stellar Belgium side claiming a comfortable win and cementing their hold on top spot. I reckon 3-0 to Martinez's boys.
Tonight's match officials are the German quartet of referee Felix Brych, assistants Mark Borsch and Stefan Lupp, and fourth official Marco Fritz.
One final look at the team sheet...
📋 Match sheet ! ⚽ #belgre #roadtorussia pic.twitter.com/ffvUE4fis1 — BelgianRedDevils (@BelRedDevils) March 25, 2017
KICKOFF! The hosts, in red and black, get us underway here in Brussels, while Greece are in white tonight.
Belgium quick out of the starting blocks as they race forward, Mertens crossing from the left towards the near post, where Greece goalkeeper Kapino tries to claim the ball but spills it before grabbing at the second attempt as Lukaku lunges towards the ball and is penalised for the challenge.
Belgium continue to dominate possession on the pitch, but Greece - who are struggling to get out of their half, in all honesty - are playing a very tight, compact game, giving their opponents little space in which to carve out an opening.
A bit of a half-chance for Greece as Torosidis launches the ball forward, but Courtois claims with ease.
More slick passing-and-moving action from Belgium, but again, not much to show for it as the Greeks have come prepared and have so far left the hosts unable to find an opening.
CHANCE! First concrete effort of the night and, unsurprisingly, it falls to Belgium as Mertens plays a pinpoint cross from the right flank towards the box, where Fellaini is on hand to leap up and strike, but the big midfielder fluffs his header and sends the ball wide of the right-hand post.
A long ball over the top finds Lukaku, who claims and picks up speed but finds himself dispossessed by a perfectly timed Manolas tackle.
Mertens once again causes trouble with another cross which is forced out for a corner, but Greece manage to clear their lines. First quarter of an hour gone and there's been only one side in this, although the visitors continue to defend stoutly.
PENALTY SHOUT! Carrasco and Lukaku combine to find a marauding Nainggolan, who sends a first-time pass into the box for Mertens, but Tzavellas gets a foot onto the ball, bringing the Napoli man to ground in the process. Belgium want a penalty, the ref says no.
Little to write home about in the last few minutes, save for two offside calls, against Mitroglou and Lukaku respectively.
Greece are defending well, particularly with that defensive square in central positions. Most of Belgium's dangerous passages of play are coming from the right flank, and the visitors are repelling the bulk of the attacks.
BOOKING: Tachtsidis is the first player to see yellow tonight for a heavy challenge on Fellaini in the middle of the park.
CHANCE! First shot on target of the night as Carrasco's driven cross from the left is flicked towards goal by Fellaini's heel, but Kapino leaps to force the ball out for a corner, which is subsequently cleared.
Belgium have enjoyed around 68 percent possession so far, while Greece have just managed their longest spell on the ball - about one minute. Nonetheless, it's still goalless, and all of the hosts' early attacking promise seems to have petered out, with Mertens their only real bright spark.
CHANCE! Probably spoke too soon! Here come Belgium again as Mertens manages to find Nainggolan with a pinpoint pass - the Roma man controls the ball well while on the run and under pressure, but his low effort from range is just a few yards wide of goal.
Now Alderweireld tries a through-ball, but Lukaku is caught offside. Not long to go until half time, and it's all going to plan so far for the well-drilled Greeks, who will surely be delighted with a point tonight.
BOOKING: Fellaini goes into the book for a lunge on Mantalos.
BOOKING: Another yellow card being shown, this time to Tzavellas for a foul on Fellaini. What started out as a bright game, with Belgium playing silky, slick football, has become very bogged down.
Just one minute of added time at the end of the first half.
HALF TIME: BELGIUM 0-0 GREECE
That's the halfway point of this game, and what began with plenty of promise has so far delivered very little. Belgium have simply not been incisive enough, with only Dries Mertens appearing to show any kind of real urgency for his side, while Greece, perhaps aware of their limitations, have been very well-drilled at the back and have a half-time clean sheet to show for their defensive display. Shades of Euro 2004?
Despite their relatively poor showing, Belgium have produced more in the game, with 64 percent possession, three chances (one on goal), two corners, and 315 completed passes, while the visitors have had 36 percent possession, mustered just one chance (off target), and completed just 127 passes. Put simply, it's not been a classic.
The Red Devils have been quite predictable in the opening 45, and Greece, who are very much playing for a stalemate, have sussed them out with ease. With the talent at Martinez's disposal, the hosts really should be doing much better in causing havoc and getting on the scoresheet. If Belgium break the deadlock, the visitors are likely to panic, lose their shape, and the floodgates will open. But otherwise, it'll be a very dull 0-0 final score and a very happy Skibbe.
Jan Vertonghen is the third-highest capped player in Belgium history.
That's Jan before tonight's kick-off. He earns his 90th cap today ! Congratz @JanVertonghen 👏👍😉 #belgre #roadtorussia pic.twitter.com/w65JG3mGoZ — BelgianRedDevils (@BelRedDevils) March 25, 2017
So France are 2-1 up in Luxembourg. That seems shocking enough, but considering that the hosts have had FIVE PERCENT possession... fair play for getting on the scoresheet! (It was a penalty, to be fair...)
KICKOFF: Greece get proceedings underway in the second half.
GOAL! BELGIUM 0-1 GREECE (KOSTAS MITROGLOU)
Well, well, WELL! Could a 2004 vintage Greece smash-and-grab unfold tonight in Brussels? The visitors take the lead after just 20 seconds in the second half!
A seemingly routine high ball over the top was nodded by Tachtsidis into the box, and Mitroglou got to the ball first, getting the better of Ciman and rifling a half-volley across Courtois and into the far corner.
Carrasco carelessly slides into Fortounis and is lucky to avoid a card, though it's a free kick to Greece.
Alderweireld plays in Chadli on the right of the box, Stafylidis barges into the West Brom man from behind but he stays on his feet and eventually wins a corner. Risky from Greece there, as that could have been a penalty if Chadli went down.
Greece will leapfrog Belgium into top spot in Group H if it ends like this tonight.
CHANCE! Lukaku does well to control a long ball forward, hold off his marker and lay it back to Witsel, but the Tianjin Quanjian man blasts wide from 25 yards out.
Highly-rated Anderlecht midfielder Youri Tielemans - just 19 years of age - is warming up by the side of the pitch.
BOOKING: Mertens is the latest player to go into the ref's book after clashing with Tzavellas. A sign of frustration setting in the Belgium camp?
Mertens goes down all too easily on the edge of the Greece box, but play continues, and Lukaku nearly nips in to get the ball, but Manolas comes across to make a vital interception.
RED CARD! Could this be a turning moment in the game? Greece are down to ten men as Tachtsidis is shown a second yellow for a late lunge at Alderweireld.
SUBSTITUTION: Belgium make a change as Mousa Dembele replaces Marouane Fellaini.
SUBSTITUTION: Now Skibbe decides to make a change, with Alexandros Tziolis coming in for Konstantinos Fortounis and dropping into the midfield hole vacated by the dismissed Tachtsidis.
Carrasco decides to have a pop from about 30 yards out, and predictably, Kapino claims with ease.
Belgium win a series of corners, but Greece are not letting anything pass as Mertens's deliveries are cleared with ease.
BOOKING: Witsel is cautioned for pulling Tzavellas to the ground.
BOOKING: Witsel is fouled just outside the area by Samaris, who gets booking number seven of the night.
CHANCE! Almost an equaliser for the hosts! Mertens strikes the wall with his free kick and the ball falls to Alderweireld, whose low drive deflects across the box and lands perfectly for Mertens, but the outrushing Kapino keeps out the Napoli man's snap-shot!
Belgium are chipping away at the Greek defence, but they're running out of time. Can the visitors hold on? They're still defending in numbers, but going a man down has rattled them somewhat.
Ten minutes plus stoppage time for Belgium to get something from this game. They're showing much more urgency now. If only they'd been in a higher gear in the first half, it may be a completely different story.
CHANCE! Witsel latches onto a rebound from Alderweireld's half-cleared cutback, creates some space for himself and lets rip, but the ball flies wide.
SUBSTITUTIONS: One for each side as Kevin Mirallas replaces Laurent Ciman for Belgium, while the visitors see Petros Mantalos taken off to make room for Jose Zeca.
CHANCE! Belgium have Greece under siege as Mirallas's outswinging corner from the right is flicked on by Alderweireld towards Vertonghen at the far post, but the latter fluffs his lines and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
GOAL! BELGIUM 1-1 GREECE (ROMELU LUKAKU)
Heartbreak for Greece, relief for Belgium as the high-flying Lukaku gets his nation back into it right at the death! Another wonderful Mertens delivery is deftly chested down by the Everton striker and volleyed home beyond the grasp of Kapino!
Four minutes of stoppage time. Is this it in terms of scoreline, or can Belgium (or indeed Greece) deliver some more late drama?
SUBSTITUTION: Kostas Mitroglou is replaced by Apostolos Vellios as Greece try to hold on for a point.
RED CARD! Greece are down to nine men now! Tzavellas gets his second booking and Greece are being made to sweat in the dying stages of this game!
BOOKING: Lukaku is also booked for his part in the scuffle with Tzavellas.
FULL TIME: BELGIUM 1-1 GREECE
It's all over in Brussels and a sub-par Belgium will be thanking Romelu Lukaku for his late, late strike against Greece, ensuring that the spoils are shared!
Relief for the hosts, and frustration which will give way to a sensation of a job well done for the visitors, as both sides retain their unbeaten records.
That's all we have time for here but Sports Mole is on hand to bring you match reports, plus all the news from the day's football. Thank you for following and, until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
