BEN MEMULETIWON
THE Carthage Eagles of Tunisia have joined Egypt and Morocco to kiss the 2018 World Cup bye after they were humiliated 5-2 by the Red Devils of Belgium.
Manchester United goal poacher Romelu Lukaku and Chelsea dribble master Eden Hazard both scored braces as Belgium booked a place in the Round of 16.
Tunisia’s ouster even with a game against Panama means that all north African teams at the Russia 2018 World Cup have been booted out of the game.
The stage they are now it is clear that they must leave Russia within 24 hours after their last matches respectively. Even before the knock out stage begins.
Africa now have Nigeria, which is one leg in and another out of the knock out stage, and Senegal to see if the continent will justify the recent addition to Africa’s slots in the 2026 World Cup in the United States of Ametica, Canada and Mexico.
Belgium need England to avoid defeat to Panama in Sunday’s other Group G game to confirm their last-16 spot and no team at Russia 2018 will want to be drawn against a star-studded side that has scored eight goals in two matches. Not after this swashbuckling display against Tunisia.
Belgium were dominant from the outset, taking a 2-0 lead inside 16 minutes through a sixth minute penalty by Hazard and a wonderful goal from Lukaku in the 16th.
Dylan Bronn however, handed the African side an unlikely lifeline before their tormentor-in-chief, Lukaku – who scored twice in the opening 3-0 win over Panama – restored Belgium’s lead to become his country’s all-time top scorer at major tournaments with seven goals.
Hazard netted his second early in the second half, while substitute Michy Batshuayi – who had earlier missed three golden opportunities – scored a fifth in the 90th minute. Wahbi Khazri bagged a late consolation for Tunisia, but it did little to take the shine off a memorable result for Belgium.