Belgium go into Tuesday night’s match with Cyprus in Euro 2020 Group I seeking a perfect winning record. Roberto Martinez’s team will host Cyprus in Brussels having sealed the group win on Saturday with a victory over Russia, 4-1.
The game was the Hazard show as both Thorgan and Eden Hazard got onto the score sheet. Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku also got on the score sheet with a second-half goal. Lukaku had trained separate from the squad prior to the game but it must have been for precautionary due to a knock.
Mr. 5⃣2⃣ 👊 pic.twitter.com/igW5TLRsNG— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 17, 2019
Mr. 5⃣2⃣ 👊 pic.twitter.com/igW5TLRsNG
Cyprus are in fourth place in Group I after losing 2-1 to Scotland on Saturday. Cyprus are eliminated from making the Euro 2020 tournament next summer after collecting 10 points 27 possible.
Martinez doesn’t need to play his best squad against Cyprus, but the manager may choose to play his top players to continue the national team’s winning ways. Belgium are the No. 1 ranked team in the world currently according to FIFA.
Cyprus held Belgium to just two goals in their previous match last March. The Belgians won 2-0 thanks to goals from Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi. The match was wrapped up in the opening 18 minutes with both goals scored in the opening half an hour.
Seven of Belgium’s nine matches in Euro 2020 qualifying have seen Belgium score over 2.5 goals. Cyprus and Kazakhstan are the only teams to hold Belgium to fewer than 2.5 goals in a game during group play.
Tuesday night’s match could give some of Belgium’s back-ups given the chance to shine. Divock Origi, Yannick Carrasco, and Dennis Praet were all left on the bench against Russia.
Martinez could give Batshuayi the start for Lukaku after he came on for the Inter Milan man in the second half against Russia.
Belgium have a strong squad of bench players and can replace the “stars” with little of the team’s quality falling off. Regardless of which players start the fixture, Cyprus should struggle to stop the Belgians.
Although they held Martinez’s team to two goals in their last meeting, Belgium should be better at home in front of their home fans. Cyprus have nothing to play for.
Cyprus did play well against Scotland keeping 58% possession and tallying 12 shots. They simply struggled in the final third.
Belgium should win once more in Group I play and keep a 100% winning record in the group. The Belgians will once again show why they are the No. 1 ranked team in the world.