Israel loses 3-1 to Belgium, ending Euro 2016 hopes

Belgium tops qualifying Group B; Israel left with consolation goal in the 84th minute

By ToI Staff and AP 14 October 2015, 1:37 am

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Belgium's midfielder Eden Hazard (c) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Belgium and Israel, at the King Baudouin Stadium, on October 13, 2015 in Brussels. (AFP/ JOHN THYS)

Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens both scored a goal and provided an assist to help Belgium secure top spot in Group B and first place in the FIFA rankings with a 3-1 victory over Israel in their European Championship qualifier on Tuesday.

Victory meant that the 2-0 win of runner-up Wales over Andorra had no impact on the final standings. In a head-to-head for a third-place playoff spot, Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Cyprus 3-2 to give the 2014 World Cup finalist a shot at a second straight major tournament from the playoffs.

In Brussels, Mertens broke the deadlock in the 64th minute on an assist by De Bruyne, finishing off with a low shot. Manchester City’s De Bruyne scored with a 25-meter free kick in the 78th before Eden Hazard added a goal in the 84th, leaving Israel with no more than a last minute consolation goal from Tommer Hemed.

“I am super pleased. Yes! No. 1 in the world,” said Mertens on Belgium’s unlikely run from 71st place in 2007 to sweeping past Germany and Argentina over the past weekend to top place.

Israel knew what opposition it faced and fell back in defense even though it needed victory for a shot at advancing to the playoffs.

On Saturday, Israel lost 2-1 to Cyprus in a qualifying game at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on Saturday night.

A win would have given Israel a likely playoff place, but those hopes were quashed by the unexpected loss.

Having beaten Cyprus away earlier in the qualifying stages, Israel was the favorite to win at home, but Cyprus took a 58th minute lead through a Dossa Junior header. Israel’s Nir Bitton equalized with a glorious strike from outside the penalty area in the 76th minute. But as Israel poured forward in search of a winning goal, it was Cyprus that scored through Jason Demetriou in the 80th minute.

The home team left Teddy to boos from disappointed fans. The stadium was under-filled, since many supporters had stayed away because of the upsurge in terrorism.