Belgium scored three second-half goals to beat Israel 3-1 in their final Euro 2016 qualifier this evening.

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The hosts started the game positively, as Kevin De Bruyne and Radja Nainggolan missed the target early on, before Romelu Lukaku dragged an effort narrowly wide.

Israel almost took the lead against the run of play after 20 minutes, as Eran Zahavi struck the post with a free kick, before the midfielder fired an effort over the bar.

Dries Mertens should have opened the scoring for the Red Devils before half time, as De Bruyne found the Napoli man unmarked with a low cross, but the winger sent a tame effort wide of the far post.

After the break, Lukaku was presented with a one-on-one opportunity against Israel goalkeeper Ofir Martziano, but the Everton man was forced wide before missing the target.

Belgium finally broke the deadlock on 64 minutes when Mertens struck a powerful effort from the left of the penalty area past Martziano to make amends for his glaring first-half miss.

The hosts doubled their lead on 78 minutes, as De Bruyne curled a free kick into the bottom corner of the Israel goal.

Martziano twice denied Belgium of a third goal, as Eden Hazard and De Bruyne both tested the keeper late in the match, before Hazard managed to get his name on the scoresheet with a clinical finish from inside the box.

Israel scored a consolation goal before the final whistle, as Zahavi found Brighton & Hove Albion striker Tomer Hemed, who headed past Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet.

Written by
Stephen Topping