Belgium began this fixture better than the previous one. Mertens enjoyed skinning his man on the right flank, but his final ball failed to find Lukaku or the target. They had good pace and used width. Russia found their feet and exploited the left side. They began to wrestle the match away from Belgium in midfield and created the best scoring chances of the half. Courtois made brilliant saves to keep the score line 0-0 at half-time. Russia shot at goal a pass to early, making it easy for the Belgian keeper to shine.
The youthful and faster Belgium team failed to match the experienced Russian campaigners who gave a good account of themselves as they showed great attacking power. Their energy levels were higher and they deserved the lead by half time. They did well to avoid confrontation with the experienced central defence marshalled by Vincent Kompany whom they by-passed by going through the wings.
It was a quiet half until the Origi goal which came courtesy of an attack on the left. That run from the midfield, a pass further out and a very strong run by Hazard in the box made the static Russians pay dearly. The Chelsea cut back the ball from the by-line and Origi obliged with a first time shot.
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