Chelsea’s Eden Hazard scored twice to spare the blushes of Thibaut Courtois as Belgium began their road to Euro 2020 with a 3-1 victory over Group I rivals Russia.
Leicester’s Youri Tielemans’ low shot gave Belgium a 14th-minute lead.
Two minutes later keeper Courtois gave the ball away under pressure from Artem Dzyuba and Denis Cheryshev slotted in.
Courtois howler vs Russia ????
He should have never left, what a horrendous season he’s having! #CFC
— CFC-Blues.com (@CFCBlues_com) March 21, 2019
But just before the break it was 2-1 when Hazard converted a penalty before he slotted in a late third.
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The World Cup semi-finalists are in Cyprus for their next qualifier on Sunday.
Russia travel to neighbours Kazakhstan, who embarrassed Scotland 3-0 earlier.
Elsewhere in Group I, Cyprus thrashed fellow minnows San Marino 5-0.
