Michy Batshuayi and Marouane Fellaini were both on the scoresheet as Belgium recorded a 2-1 win over Czech Republic in Monday night's international friendly in Brussels.
Michael Krmencik cancelled out a first-half effort from Batshuayi to leave the two teams level at the break, before Fellaini netted early in the second period.
The home side had chances to add to the scoring in the second 45 minutes, but 2-1 was how it remained on the night.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live international coverage continues from Brussels as Belgium welcome Czech Republic for an international friendly. There are no points or prizes on offer tonight, but it will give both managers the chance to assess their squads ahead of key 2018 World Cup qualification fixtures at the weekend. Stay tuned for all of the coverage from Belgium's capital!
Right, without further ado, let's go straight into the team news for tonight's match. Have both managers gone full strength, or have some key players been held back ahead of the World Cup qualification fixtures? Let's run through the two XIs that will start this friendly in Brussels...
TEAMS!
BELGIUM: Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Chadli, Tielemans, Nainggolan, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Lukaku, Batshuayi
CZECH REP: Vaclik; Kaderabek, Kalas, Gebre Selassie, Brabec; Zmrhal, Darida, Soucek; Krejci, Schick, Krmencik
Chelsea's Eden Hazard is a notable absentee for Belgium, with the 26-year-old sustaining a fractured ankle during a training session at the weekend. There are plenty of Premier League representatives in the XI, however, with Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli, Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi all included. There is also a spot for the highly-rated Youri Tielemans, who has swapped Anderlecht for AS Monaco this summer.
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As for Czech Republic, Fulham centre-back Tomas Kalas features, while there is just a sixth international cap for Genk's Jakub Brabec at full-back. Vladimir Darida will skipper the team on his 44th international appearance, while Slovan Liberec's Tomas Soucek wins his second cap in midfield. Patrik Schick, who has been linked with a number of clubs after a fine season with Sampdoria, leads the line for Czech Republic. The 21-year-old will be keen to put on a performance tonight.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 15 minutes from kickoff tonight. This match will bring just the seventh international meeting between Belgium and Czech Republic. Czech Republic actually lead the head-to-head three wins to Belgium's two, and they have won each of the last two fixtures – including a 3-1 success at home to Belgium in August 2009.
Belgium will enter this match having drawn three of their last four games in all competitions, but Roberto Martinez's side are currently well-placed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Indeed, they currently sit top of Group H on 13 points having won four and drawn one of their five matches. Next up in that section is a trip to Estonia on Friday night. Tonight is all about building-up to that key fixture.
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As for Czech Republic, Karel Jarolim's side currently sit third in Group C as they bid to make the World Cup in Russia. Germany top the section on 15 points, while it is Northern Ireland that sit two points ahead of Czech Republic in second position. A trip to Norway on Saturday night might well play a decisive factor in determining whether Czech Republic can finish behind the Germans.
📝 Match sheet ! 🇧🇪🆚🇨🇿 #belcze #roadtorussia pic.twitter.com/0qQvJvw1sn — BelgianRedDevils (@BelRedDevils) June 5, 2017
KICKOFF! Czech Republic kick things off in Brussels...
... not quite a full house inside the stadium tonight, but there is a good atmosphere. As mentioned, there are no points or prizes on offer, but it is a good chance for both managers to assess their squads ahead of key 2018 World Cup qualifiers this weekend. It is Belgium with the early possession.
Not an awful lot to report in the early exchanges, with both teams guilty of conceding possession in forward areas. Belgium, however, are the team looking to get things going in the final third.
Half-chance for Belgium as Nainggolan breaks down the left before delivering a low cross towards Lukaku, but the striker can only turn wide under pressure from Fulham centre-back Kalas.
Not too much from Czech Republic in the opening seven minutes, with Krmencik isolated in the final third of the field. Belgium continue to work the ball in the final third of the field, and another half-chance arrives when Batshuayi finds a yard of space, only to see his effort deflected behind.
Another half-chance for Belgium as Carrasco flashes a low cross towards Lukaku, but Brabec does enough to crowd the Everton striker out. It is the home side looking the more likely in Brussels.
SAVE! Smart goalkeeping from Vaclik as the Czech stopper keeps out a close-range header from Lukaku, who is looking the most likely to make the breakthrough here.
POST! Another wonderful chance for Belgium as Lukaku meets a bouncing ball inside the Czech Republic box, but the striker somehow hits the post with his close-range header!
Czech Republic cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Belgium continue to press. The home side really should be ahead, but Lukaku has missed a couple of excellent chances.
Czech Republic have enjoyed some possession in the last couple of minutes, but they have still not threatened to make the breakthrough. Belgium continue to threaten in forward areas, with Chadli the latest to find some space before having a low cross turned behind for a set-piece.
We have not seen too much from Schick in the opening 23 minutes, with the Sampdoria forward struggling to get into the match. In truth, the visitors have been second best since the first whistle.
Super work from De Bruyne as the Man City attacker finds space down the right before looking to deliver a low cross into Batshuayi, but Kalas is on hand to make the block. Tielemans then fires over the crossbar as the pressure continues. I am not sure how the home side are not ahead!
GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Czech Republic (Batshuayi)
Well, that was coming. Belgium take the lead in the 25th minute as Batshuayi turns Kalas inside the Czech Republic box before sending a low effort into the bottom corner. Great work there!
First sight of goal for the away side as Darida finds some space in a forward position, but his effort is over the crossbar. End-to-end football as we approach the 30-minute mark here.
Carrasco meets a loose ball outside the Czech box, but his effort is over the crossbar.
GOAL! Belgium 1-1 Czech Republic (Krmencik)
All square! Czech Republic level the scores in the 29th minute as De Bruyne has his pocket picked on the edge of the Belgium box, and Krejci then sets up Krmencik, who cannot miss from close range!
Half-chance for the home side as Nainggolan hits one from distance, but his effort is too high.
CZECH SUB! Goalkeeper Vaclik is replaced by Pavlenka.
There is no question that the equaliser has boosted Czech Republic, who are now much more of a threat in the final third of the field. Belgium have looked very dangerous in the final third, but missed some big chances in the early stages. It has been a decent opening 36 minutes here.
POST! Beans on toast! The visitors come close to taking the lead as Schick hits one from inside the Belgium box, but his low effort comes off the post!
Krmencik and Vertonghen clash on the side of the pitch, and the referee is forced to intervene as both sets of players threaten to become involved. There is a real competitive nature about this match, which is good to see. Still 1-1 with 38 minutes on the clock in Brussels.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and De Bruyne has just delivered a wonderful free kick into the away side's box, but there were no takers. His dead-ball ability is just sensational.
SAVE! Good work from Pavlenka, who gets down to keep out Lukaku's strike.
Lukaku is again dangerous in a wide position as he turns before delivering, but there are no takers, and the away side can resume from the dead-ball line. Still 1-1 as we approach the half-time break.
Czech Republic look dangerous from a couple of set pieces in succession, and Brabec misses the chance to convert at the far post after Courtois had failed to collect. Belgium are good going forward, but there is a real sense of nervousness at the back, which is a surprise considering the personnel.
SAVE! More smart goalkeeping from Pavlenka, who keeps out another Lukaku effort!
HALF-TIME: Belgium 1-1 Czech Republic
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Belgium and Czech Republic level at 1-1 after an exciting opening 45 minutes. Chelsea forward Batshuayi sent the home side ahead in the 25th minute, but Czech Republic were level four minutes later through Krmencik.
BENCH WATCH! Belgium enjoyed 61% of the possession in the first period, while they had 14 attempts on goal - five of which were on target. Czech Republic, meanwhile, only managed one attempt on target, but that brought their equaliser. No yellow cards to report in the opening 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! Benteke, Fellaini, Thorgan Hazard, Mirallas and Mertens are among those that will be hoping to feature for Belgium in the second period. Czech Republic, meanwhile, have already swapped their goalkeeper in the first period, but the likes of Sivok and Skoda should feature at some point.
RESTART! Belgium resume the action on home soil...
... SUBS! Dockal and Jankto are both on for the visitors. Meanwhile, Vermaelen, Benteke, Fellaini and Mirallas have come into play for Belgium. I will confirm the outgoings as soon as possible!
SUBS! Mertens is also on for Belgium, while Celustka is on the field for the visitors. It is always fun when changes occur like this, with no actual confirmation. It will arrive soon!
CONFIRMED SUBS! Vermaelen, Fellaini, Benteke, Mirallas and Mertens have all entered the field for Belgium. Meanwhile, Celustka, Dockal and Jankto are on for the away side. Belgium have now made five changes overall, while Czech Republic have made four. Let's play some football.
Half-chance for the home side as Chadli delivers a dangerous cross towards Benteke, but the striker cannot make contact as Czech Republic survive a difficult moment. I am expecting more goals here.
Mertens has been very dangerous in the early stages of this second period, with the Napoli forward playing on the last line of the away side's defence. Belgium are the team looking more likely at the moment, although Czech Republic are a threat when they break forward.
SAVE! Brilliant save from Pavlenka to keep out Mirallas's close-range strike!
GOAL! Belgium 2-1 Czech Republic (Fellaini)
Brilliant header from Fellaini as he towers above everyone to lift his effort into the far corner!
Benteke is looking very dangerous for Belgium at the moment, and brilliant work from the striker provides a half-chance for Mertens inside the Czech Republic box, but the Napoli forward cannot make contact on his teammate's low cross. The away side are living very dangerously at the moment.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Brussels, and the score remains 1-1. Belgium are the team forcing the issue, although Czech Republic are dangerous when they break forward.
Fellaini is controlling this game at the moment, which is not that surprising when you consider how well he played for Man United during stages of last season. He is always a threat!
Possession football from Belgium as they pass and probe, but Czech Republic are quite comfortable in their defensive shape. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here.
CZECH SUB! Another change for the visitors as Schick is replaced by Skoda.
Eden Hazard might be injured, but his brother Thorgan Hazard will be hoping to feature in the final 20 minutes of this match. It is still 2-1 Belgium, with Fellaini's goal the difference at the moment.
De Bruyne tries to find Chadli with a long-range pass, but the direction is just wrong, allowing the away side to clear their lines once again. Not too many chances in the last few minutes here.
Both defences are on top at the moment, which is creating a fairly cagey match. Benteke has the chance to fashion a shooting opportunity for the home side after smart work from De Bruyne, but the striker is crowded out before conceding a free kick. Bit untidy from the Palace forward there.
Half-chance for Belgium as Carrasco finds space in a wide position before firing towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Belgium are on the front foot at the moment.
CZECH SUB! Mares replaces Zmrhal for the away side.
Courtois comes out to collect a cross from Mares as the number 24 shows smart feet in a wide position. Benteke continues to put himself about down the other end, but the referee is going against the Palace forward at the moment, with another attack coming to an end courtesy of a free kick.
Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in Brussels, with Belgium still 2-1 ahead.
Chadli delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Vertonghen cannot make contact, and Czech Republic can clear their lines once again. A few signs that the pace is starting to increase.
Benteke wriggles free inside the Czech Republic box before having a strike on goal, but the whistle had already been blown for a free kick. Pressure from Belgium as we enter the final moments here.
BOOKING! Skoda (Czech) is booked for a poor tackle on Vermaelen.
BELGIUM SUB! Carrasco is replaced by Thorgan Hazard.
Mertens again attempts to slide a pass into Benteke, but the forward cannot make up the ground as Czech Republic survive another dangerous moment. We are into the final stages of this one.
FULL-TIME: Belgium 2-1 Czech Republic
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Belgium running out 2-1 winners in this international friendly in Brussels. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live action once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
