Football
Group Stage 2016
BEL 
6
FT
 AND
0
PA Sport 9y

Vincent Kompany injured but Belgium cruise past Andorra

Belgium hardly missed Eden Hazard as they routed Andorra 6-0 to get their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign started with a bang.

Although Hazard sat the match out with a toe injury, braces from Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens, plus strikes from Nacer Chadli and Divock Origi ensured a comfortable night for under-pressure coach Marc Wilmots.

However, there was one concerning moment to blot an otherwise fine night, with Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany withdrawn with an injury early in the second half.

Belgium were expected to score goals and duly did, but only after a long wait for the opener.

When De Bruyne hit the post after 56 seconds it seemed like Belgium were going to get started early, but Origi would also strike an upright before the opener finally came from the penalty spot in the 31st minute.

Josep Ayala Diaz was guilty of a foul on Origi and De Bruyne gratefully stroked home the spot-kick.

It was the spark Belgium needed, with De Bruyne firing home a second moments later before Chadli's close-range finish made it 3-0 with 37 minutes gone.

The hosts were suddenly cruising as chances piled up before the break, Jan Vertonghen going closest with a volleyed effort which Ferran Pol held.

Kompany departed 10 minutes into the second half but Belgium were quickly back into their strike, with Origi finding the corner of the net from 20 yards to make it 4-0 before the hour mark.

Mertens then added two in three minutes, heading in Toby Alderweireld's cross in the 65th minute before firing home his second in the 68th.

Further goals might have followed but Mertens was denied a hat-trick when his drilled effort was blocked by Emili Garcia in stoppage time.

ends

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