Moscow: Romelu Lukaku drew level with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the World Cup goalscoring charts here Saturday, scoring twice as Belgium moved to the brink of the last 16 after a 5-2 romp against Tunisia.
Lukaku thus became the first player in 32 years to score two goals apiece in two successive matches. The last person to have done so was Argentine legend Diego Maradona who scored two goals in matches against England and Belgium in the 1986 edition of the tournament.
The victory put the Red Devils top of Group G with two wins ahead of their clash Thursday against England, who play Panama, Sunday.
Not to be outdone, Belgium captain Eden Hazard scored in either half, including an early penalty at the Spartak Stadium here, before substitute Michy Batshuayi added their fifth.
Tunisia’s consolation goals came from defender Dylan Bronn and captain Wahbi Khazri.
The Belgians were criticised by coach Roberto Martinez for starting slowly against Panama in their first group match but flew out of the blocks Saturday.
Hazard – having been on the receiving end of some bruising tackles in Belgium’s opener – was sent tumbling after just five minutes but converted the penalty to open his account in the 2018 WC.
Midfielder Ferjani Sassi picked up an early booking for complaining when Tunisia’s appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears, just before Belgium added their second goal.
Ali Maaloul’s weak pass on the halfway line was collected by Dries Mertens, who sprinted away and put Lukaku clear. The striker coolly hit his shot inside the far post, just past the outstretched glove of Tunisia keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha, in the 16th minute.
Tunisia responded two minutes later, Bronn leaping highest to head home a free-kick from his skipper Khazri on 18 minutes, only to be later carried off after landing awkwardly following a collision.
With half time approaching, the Belgians grabbed their third goal. After earlier squandering two clear chances created by Kevin Dd Bruyne, Lukaku converted his third opportunity just before the half time whistle. Thomas Meunier put him in behind the defence and Lukaku tucked his shot away, celebrating with De Bruyne, who started the move.
The Manchester City midfield maestro turned provider again after the break for Hazard. The Chelsea star sprinted onto De Bruyne’s lofted pass, held off two defenders, rounded keeper Ben Mustapha and tapped home Belgium’s fourth goal in the 51st minute.
With one eye on the England game, Martinez took off Lukaku, then Hazard as the half wore on and for the final 22 minutes brought on Batshuayi, who could have scored five goals.
The Borussia Dortmund forward had a chance cleared off the line, was twice denied by Ben Mustapha’s saves and hit the crossbar, finally converting a cross for Belgium’s fifth goal.
Tunisia captain Khazri grabbed their second goal just before the final whistle of their second defeat in Russia.
Doubtful starter
Moscow: Coach Roberto Martinez revealed Saturday that Romelu Lukaku will be a doubtful starter for Belgium in the game Thursday against England after the striker suffered an ankle injury against Tunisia. “We need to look at Lukaku’s ankle. He took a knock and has to be assessed. As of now we can’t say whether he will play against England,” added Martinez. Lukaku’s absence would be a blow to Belgium’s hopes against England, with top spot in the group likely to be up for grabs.