Belgium have regained top spot in Group A of the European World Cup qualification by netting twice in two second-half minutes in Brussels this evening.

Early on the hosts grabbed hold of the match and winger Dries Mertens was denied by a double save from Allan McGregor.

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke then had a golden opportunity to put the Belgians ahead but he failed to make contact from Mertens's cutback.

© PA Photos

Scotland's first opportunity came from a free kick midway through the half and Shaun Maloney was acrobatically denied by Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois, who is on loan at La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid.

The visitors had two further close calls before the break when first Nacer Chadli curled an effort just wide before McGregor kept out Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Moussa Dembele's low drive.

Benteke came close to giving Belgium the lead soon after the break but his header clipped the top of the crossbar before going behind.

McGregor was booked for time wasting midway through the half before the Scots' resistance was finally broken on 69 minutes.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard worked a corner with Blues teammate Kevin de Bruyne, who swung a cross to the back post that Benteke this time headed home.

The lead was doubled just two minutes later when Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany twisted and turned in the area before lashing past McGregor at his near post from 15 yards.

Croatia had gone top of the group with victory over Wales earlier this evening but Belgium have a superior goal difference so retake first place.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre