Belgium 2 Czech Republic 1: Fellaini header the difference

Substitute Marouane Fellaini's second-half header
saw Belgium record a 2-1 win over Czech Republic
in Monday's international friendly at the King
Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
The home side's preparations for the game were
disrupted by Eden Hazard fracturing his ankle in
training, but the Chelsea star's misfortune did not
stop Michy Batshuayi from opening the scoring
midway through the first half after a strong start.
Sloppy play from Kevin De Bruyne allowed Michal
Krmencik to level the scoring shortly after, but
Fellaini eventually delivered the hosts the win with
a powerful 52nd-minute header.
Roberto Martinez's men will be looking to build on
their victory when they take on Estonia on Friday in
Group H of the World Cup qualification. They sit
first in their section with 13 points from five games,
two points clear of second-placed Greece.
Czech Republic, meanwhile, take on Norway on
Saturday in Group C, with Karel Jarolim's side third
in their group behind Germany and Northern
Ireland.
Belgium made an encouraging start to the game
and Romelu Lukaku had two chances to break the
deadlock in the opening 15 minutes, first forcing
goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik into a low save with a
firm header, before steering another against the
upright from just two yards after Toby Alderweireld
had directed De Bruyne's cross into his path.
And the hosts got the goal they deserved when
Batshuayi netted in the 25th minute, the Chelsea
striker beating Vaclik with a calm finish from just
inside the area after being set up by Lukaku and
shrugging off Tomas Kalas.
But Belgium's lead did not last long as Krmencik
levelled the scoring a mere five minutes later after
some poor play from De Bruyne, who clumsily lost
the ball to Ladislav Krejci inside his own area after
an attempt to build play from the back.
The visitors came close to going 2-1 up 10
minutes before the half-time whistle when
promising youngster Patrik Schick hit the upright
with a low shot from 15 yards out.
Martinez's men made a strong start to the second
half and Kevin Mirallas almost restored his side's
lead when he forced substitute goalkeeper Jiri
Pavlenka into a save early on.
There was no denying Belgium soon after, however,
as Fellaini beat Pavlenka with a trademark header
from fellow half-time substitute Dries Mertens'
corner.
Borek Dockal threatened a number of times as the
away side went in search of an equaliser, but the
attacking midfielder failed to find a way past
Thibaut Courtois, while Tomas Soucek was
frustrated by the woodwork as Belgium held on for
a narrow win.

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