Belgium moved to the top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group by beating Israel 1-0 in Jerusalem this evening.
Marouane Fellaini scored the only game of the match in the ninth minute with a close range finish after Vincent Kompany's effort had been saved.
The Belgians had further chances to double their lead, but they were reduced to 10 men when Kompany was sent off for two bookable offences.
However, Israel could not punish their opponents and suffered their second home defeat in a matter of days to dent their hopes of reaching the Euros.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! We've got another packed evening of international football for you, before the club season resumes at the weekend. There are a whole host of friendlies taking place, but in Jerusalem vital points are at stake, as Israel and Belgium meet in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.
Before their match against Wales at the weekend, hopes were high that Israel could qualify for their first major tournament in over 40 years. They had won their first three games in Group B and topped the table, but at the weekend they were beaten 3-0 by a Gareth Bale inspired Wales.
Belgium had no such problems in their last group match, as they comfortably eased to a 5-0 win over Cyprus. It was a much needed boost for Marc Wilmots and his players, after being held to draws by Bosnia and Wales in their previous qualifiers.
TEAMS:
ISRAEL XI: Marchiano, Degani, Ben Haim, Gershon, Ben Harush, Bitton, Yeini, Natcho, Zahavi, Hemed, Sahar
BELGIUM XI: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Lombaerts, Vertonghen, Nainggolan, Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard, Benteke
So, that's how our teams will be lining up this evening. The visitors have plenty of big names in the side, with Eden Hazard, Christian Benteke and Kevin De Bruyne making up the attack. Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen will play in front of Thibaut Courtois, with the in-form Marouane Fellaini also starting. Meanwhile, Israel will be spearheaded by former Chelsea striker Ben Sahar.
A quick glance at the Group B table shows Wales leading the way on 11 points after their impressive display in Haifa. Israel are second on nine points, with Belgium one point further back in third place. The top two teams will advance straight to Euro 16, but the side who finishes in third will go into the play-offs, meaning that this really is a crucial game tonight.
Despite their loss against the Welsh, Israel are still well placed and can look back on a fine opening to their qualifying campaign. They picked up wins against Cyprus and Andorra in their opening matches, before seeing off the much-fancied Bosnia's in a 3-0 win. When they return to international action in June they will face the Bosnians again, who look back on track after beating Andorra at the weekend thanks to an Edin Dzeko hat trick.
When the draw was initially made for this group it was Belgium who were seen as heavy favourites given their "golden generation" tag and they made light work of Andorra in their opening match, by thumping the minnows 6-0. However, a 1-1 draw away in Bosnia and a frustrating goalless stalemate against the Welsh were not the sort of results they wanted, until they bounced back to form with a thumping victory over Cyprus on Saturday evening.
This is the first meeting between these two teams in nearly 26 years. On that occasion in June 1988, Belgium came out on top by winning 3-2 in a friendly. They've played each other five times overall and Israel have won just one, with Belgium triumphing in the four other matches.
Right, the two teams have just made their way out onto the pitch and once we hear the national anthems then this crucial match will finally be getting underway!
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Teddy Stadium!
Israel have made a bright start here and they force a corner in the opening minute when Sahar gets in behind and sees his shot deflect just wide. They are unable to make the resulting set piece count, but you can see how determined they are to bounce back after Saturday's defeat.
CHANCE! Despite the home side's positive start to the match, they very nearly find themselves a goal behind. They cheaply lose the ball just outside the box to Witsel, who looks to drive a strike into the bottom corner, but it heads narrowly wide of the post with Marciano left stranded.
This has been such an open start to the match, with plenty of space for both teams to exploit in the midfield. Neither side have taken control of the ball, with the action flowing quickly from end to end at the moment.
GOAL! Israel 0-1 Belgium (Marouane Fellaini)
Belgium have broken the deadlock and it's Fellaini who keeps up his fine recent run of form. The Manchester United man bundles the ball in from a few yards out after Kompany had seen his effort saved following a sliced shot from Nainggolan. It's the perfect start for the visitors and they will surely be looking to build upon that now.
CHANCE! Belgium have really taken this game by the scruff of the neck and they come close to scoring a quick second. Some slack defending from the home side sees De Bruyne slipped in by Hazard, but the Wolfsburg winger sees his effort saved by Marciano.
YELLOW CARD! Kompany picks up the first booking of the match for a foul on Sahar.
The visitors look dangerous every time they come forward and Israel's frail confidence will surely be tested now. Kompany looks as if he wants a goal himself this evening, but his latest effort from around 40 yards out goes miles over the bar!
YELLOW CARD! It's another booking and this time Israel's Dgani is shown a card for a foul on Hazard.
YELLOW CARD! Referee Mark Clattenburg looks a little card happy this evening as he shows a yellow to Alderweireld for a foul on Hemed. There didn't look to be much in that and if things carry on this way I wouldn't be surprised to see a red card brandished at some point.
SHOT! What a stunning goal this would have been. Fellaini flicks a header into the direction of De Bruyne on the edge of the box and he then tries to volley an effort into the corner. He just slices his strike though and the ball ends up crashing into the side netting.
This has been a top display from Belgium and at the moment they look like the only side who are going to win this evening. They are playing some fantastic stuff and their forward players are giving the Israel defence all kinds of problems.
Israel just can't seem to get out of their own half at the moment and if they concede again then you can't really see a way back for them. It's still the visitors who are in complete control of the ball and their midfielders are being able to play the ball around from side to side without any pressure.
The hosts are looking really flat in the final third at the moment and they can't string more than two or three passes together before the move breaks down. They seem to be crying out for a creative playmaker, with former captain Benayoun left out for this round of fixtures.
SHOT! De Bruyne has been in sensational form this season and after Belgium win a free kick around 30 yards out he steps up to take it. He's scored a couple of great strikes from range in recent weeks, but this time his stinging effort is well held by the keeper.
As we approach half time the hosts have started to get on the ball a little more, but they still haven't been able to create any decent openings. They've managed just two attempts on goal so far, with Courtois not forced into making a single save.
SHOT! It's another shot on goal from the visitors who win the ball deep into their opponents' half again. Alderweireld is the man who fires in the strike, but his low effort goes well wide of the far post.
PENALTY APPEAL! Belgium have a massive shout for a penalty when Benteke races in behind and sees his shot blocked by the arm of Gershon. However, it was not spotted by the referee, who awards a corner despite Benteke's pleas.
We are going to have just one minute of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Israel 0-1 Belgium
It's half time in Jerusalem and Belgium deservedly lead 1-0 against Israel. Marouane Fellaini was in the right place at the right time to convert from close range and his side could easily be out of sight after a dominant performance.
Marouane Fellaini has now scored 12 goals in 60 international appearances for Belgium. pic.twitter.com/3o9ZntGBSw
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 31, 2015
Well, a look at the statistics show just how good Belgium have been this evening. They have been well in charge and have had a huge 67% of the possession. They have also had 13 shots on goal, with four finding the target, while Israel have put both of their shots wide of the target.
There's no doubt that Belgium deserve to be in front, but having looked at a few replays of the goal it appears that Kompany may have been offside as he turned Nainggolan's wayward shot on target. It wasn't seen by the linesman though and that's what separates the teams. The visitors could also complain about a legitimate shout for a penalty, when Gershon clearly handled Benteke's strike.
The players are just making their way out of the dressing rooms now and we will be getting back underway at the Teddy Stadium in just a few moments!
Israel take the kick off and get the second half started!
SUBSTITUTION: The hosts have made a change at the break, with Ben Haim coming on for Hemed.
We haven't seen too much in the way of goalmouth action since the break, but it's Belgium who are still very much in charge. They have used the ball so well and it looks as if they can turn on the style whenever they choose.
Hazard hasn't been at his dangerous best, but he makes a great run down the right to keep the ball in. He then whips a dangerous low cross towards the front post, but the Israel defence manage to cut it out in time before Benteke can get on the end of it.
YELLOW CARD! Yeini and Nainggolan both go in for a 50/50 challenge that leaves each player on the floor. Once they both get back on their feet, Yeini is shown a card rather harshly by Clattenburg.
SAVE! It's taken them nearly an hour, but Israel finally have their first shot on target. Zahavi picks the ball up around 25 yards out from goal, before driving in a fierce effort that requires Courtois to palm the ball away to safety. That has lifted the crowd and should give the hosts a little more belief for the rest of the match.
SAVE! This is much better from Israel and Courtois is forced into making another save. It's Zahavi again who fires in a powerful attempt that is well tipped behind by the Chelsea keeper.
SUBSTITUTION: Belgium are going to make their first change of the match and it's Hazard who heads off to be replaced by Chadli. The winger hasn't been at his best this evening, but it is still slightly surprising to see him leave the pitch.
RED CARD TO BELGIUM! Well, this could change everything! Belgium are reduced to 10 men as Kompany picks up his second booking of the match. He gave the ball away cheaply to Zahavi and in his attempts to win it back he dragged down the Israel midfielder. It was a terrible mistake to make for a such an experienced player and his team are up against it now.
SUBSTITUTION: Belgium respond to that red card by bringing on Denayer in place of Benteke. Israel are also going to make a sub, with Refaelov taking Yeini's place.
CHANCE! Belgium may be a man down, but they are still pressing for a second goal. They very nearly get it too when Witsel rises highest in the box to meet Vertonghen's cross, but he can only guide his header inches wide of the post.
You wouldn't think that it is Belgium who are playing with 10 men at the moment, as they are still very much in control of the ball. We're still waiting for Israel to push forward in search of an equaliser, but they have shown very little threat all evening.
CHANCE! There is space opening up now for Israel and they break at pace with Sahar charging through the middle. He gets the ball out of his feet and drives in a low strike from just outside the box, but Courtois saves the strike and gathers up the rebound before anyone can take advantage.
YELLOW CARD! Lombaerts is the latest player to pick up a card for bringing down Ben Haim just outside his own box. It's a great position for Israel and Zahavi will take the free kick.
Zahavi whips in the set piece, but it takes a slight deflection off the wall and goes behind. Israel get plenty of men forward for the resulting corner, but it is played short and by the time the ball is whipped into the box, Courtois comes to claim with ease.
CHANCE! If we are going to see a second goal then it still seems as if it will be Belgium who score it. Alderweireld has their latest attempt with a fierce effort after cutting in from the right, but Marciano palms away his strike. It comes out to De Bruyne, who drills in a low cross from the left, but the keeper gets down quickly and holds onto the ball.
Israel are starting to pile on the pressure now, with Belgium just looking a little bit raged at the moment. They are finding space down the flanks and when the ball is whipped in from the right, Sahar has the chance to get a shot away in the middle, but his effort is well blocked and the visitors manage to scramble the ball clear.
Fellaini is lucky to not pick up a booking after going in with a heavy challenge on Ben Haim. Given some of the bookings that Clattenburg has handed out that looked to be a certain yellow for the midfielder.
SUBSTITUTION: With Belgium holding on to a one-goal lead they have chosen to take off midfielder Nainggolan and replace him with frontman Origi.
YELLOW CARD! Refaelov is the third Israel player to be shown a card tonight for a late challenge on Origi. That means that he will now be suspended from his country's next qualifier.
We are going to have four minutes of stoppage time.
SHOT! Israel have tried their luck from range on quite a few occasions in this second half and when Bitton cuts in from the left, he looks to fire one past Courtois. His effort is struck well enough, but it is hit straight at the keeper who easily holds on.
FULL-TIME: Israel 0-1 Belgium
The final whistle blows and Belgium have held on to claim the points this evening. Marouane Fellaini's early strike has lifted Belgium above Israel in Group B and level on 11 points with Wales. They were hanging on a bit at the end thanks to Vincent Kompany's red card, but over the course of the 90 minutes they very much deserved the victory.
© Getty Images
That's all from me on what has been an important night of football in Jerusalem. Make sure you stay with us for all of the reaction to this evening's international games. I hope you have enjoyed our coverage. Goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic
