World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Mar 26, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Belgium
1-0
N. Macedonia North Macedonia

Eden Hazard strike secures Belgium win over Macedonia

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter

Published: March 26 2013 | 21:47

Last updated: March 27 2013 | 13:37

A 62nd-minute strike from Eden Hazard is enough to give Belgium all three points against Macedonia in their World Cup qualifying clash.

Belgium strengthened their position at the top of Group A in their 2014 World Cup qualifying as an Eden Hazard goal gave them a 1-0 win over Macedonia this evening.

The hosts started the game on the front foot and had decent chances early on but Dries Mertens and Hazard couldn't find a way through Tom Pacovski in the visitors' goal.

Kevin de Bruyne had an excellent chance to open the scoring in the 21st minute as he latched onto Hazard's through ball but he could only drag his shot wide of the post.

Just before the break, Axel Witsel and De Bruyne were denied by some good defending from the visitors as they put in last ditch blocks in the penalty area to stop their goalbound efforts hitting the target.

After a quiet first half, Macedonia came close to breaking the deadlock when Nikolce Noveski latched onto Agim Ibraimi's free kick but he could only direct his header over the bar.

The hosts finally took the lead through Hazard as he picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net, past the outstretched hand of Pacovski.

Goran Pandev and Nikola Grigorov both had opportunities to get the away side level but neither could test Thibaut Courtois in the Belgium net as the hosts held out for the win.