Belgium captain Vincent Kompany spoke of his pride after his side’s 3-1 Euro 2016 qualification victory over Israel ensured they will move above Argentina and Germany in the Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings.
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After it lost 1-2 to Cyprus at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on Saturday night, the Israelinational team’s only chance to finish in third place and qualify for the playoffs is to win over group’s leader Belgium while hope that Bosnia-Herzegovina doesn’t beat Cyprus on Tuesday.
Belgium had already qualified after a 4-1 victory over Andorra on Saturday (local time) and Tuesday’s win kept them two points clear of Wales in the standings.
In Brussels, Mertens broke the deadlock in the 64th minute on an assist by De Bruyne, finishing off with a low shotr.
According to the world soccer Elo rankings – which assign greater weight to success in important worldwide tournaments and qualifiers while also incorporating goal differential and home-field advantage – Belgium is now 11th with Germany in the top spot. Manchester City’s De Bruyne scored with a 25-meter free kick in the 78th before Eden Hazard added a goal in the 84th.
Israel knew what opposition it faced and fell back in defense even if it needed victory for a shot at advancing to the playoffs.
There will also be a massive police presence at the King Baudouin stadium.
In Cardiff, it was another player in Spanish employ, Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, who was celebrating.
Belgium finished top of the group with 23 points, two more than Wales.
After beginning the campaign with three straight wins previous year, Israel’s bid to reach a first major tournament since the 1970 World Cup completely unraveled in 2015.
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The loss to Cyprus was made all the more painful by the fact Israel deserved no better, being beaten by a side which since stunning Bosnia in its group opener had lost all five of its matches against opponents not named Andorra.
