MINSK, 31 March (BelTA) – Belarus lost 0-8 to Belgium in their second match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification on 30 March, BelTA has learned.
Belgium, top of the FIFA rankings, were 4-0 up at halftime at Den Dreef (Leuven, Belgium) as they inflicted Belarus' heaviest ever defeat. Among the scorers were Michy Batshuayi, Hans Vanaken (twice), Leandro Trossard (twice), Jeremy Doku, Dennis Praet, and Christian Benteke.
In Group E opener Mikhail Markhel's men beat Estonia 4-2 in Minsk (scorers Vitaly Lisakovich (twice), Yuri Kendysh and Pavel Savitsky). Belgium first defeated Wales 3-1 in Brussels and then drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic in Prague.
On 30 March Wales edged the Czech Republic 1-0 in Cardiff. The Czech Republic routed Estonia 6-2 in the opener. The Group E standings are as follows: Belgium – 7 points, Czech Republic – 4, Wales – 3, Belarus – 3, Estonia – 0.
The ten group winners will qualify for the World Cup. The ten group runners-up will go into the play-offs, joined by the two best group winners of the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League. The three path winners qualify for the World Cup.
The final tournament is scheduled to take place at the stadiums of Qatar on 21 November to 18 December 2022. Competing for the World Cup medals will be 32 teams.
