Saudi-based Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal to give Belgium a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan and lift them top of their Euro 2024 qualifying group on Saturday.
Belgium’s new manager Domenico Tedesco was missing injured duo Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne for this tricky trip to Baku.
Appointed in February as successor to Roberto Martinez Tedesco stretched his unbeaten run since taking up his first national team appointment to five matches.
Martinez stepped down after Belgium, third in the 2018 World Cup, failed to qualify for the knockout stage at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Former Schalke, Spartak Moscow, and Leipzig boss Tedesco had Carrasco’s 38th minute strike to thank for maintaining his bright start to qualifying for next year’s Euros in his home country Germany.
Carrasco pounced on a fortuitous rebound from Johan Bakayoko’s attempt to shoot past Azerbaijan keeper Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev.
Belgium captain Romelu Lukaku had gone close to helping put the visitors into a fourth minute lead only for Leandro Trossard to hit the post with his assist.
Koen Casteels, standing in for Courtois in goal, did well to produce a diving save to deny Renat Dadashov.
Casteels was then helped out by Arthur Theate who stepped in to block a powerful shot from Azerbaijani captain Emin Makhmudov.
The win pushed Belgium up to 10 points in Group F, level with Austria but topping the table thanks to goal difference.
For Carrasco, 30, this 10th goal for his country came following his move from Atletico Madrid to Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.
Belgium, runners-up in the 1980 Euros, next face Estonia at home on Tuesday with Austria in Sweden.
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 weeks agoSaudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco and world football governing body FIFA on Thursday...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP