It remains goalless at the break between Belgium and Scotland in Group A of World Cup qualification but both goalkeepers have been tested.

Early on the hosts grabbed hold of the match and winger Dries Mertens was denied by a double save from Allan McGregor.

© PA Photos

Belgium continued to press, exploiting the left flank in particular, and McGregor was called upon on numerous occasions.

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke then had a golden opportunity to put the Belgians ahead but he failed to make contact from Mertens's cutback.

Scotland's first opportunity came from a free kick midway through the half and Shaun Maloney was acrobatically denied by Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois, who is on loan at La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid.

The visitors had two further close calls before the break when first Nacer Chadli curled an effort just wide before McGregor kept out Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Moussa Dembele's low drive.