Third in the last World Cup, Belgium and its golden generation qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after beating Estonia 3-1 in Brussels.
Among the countries of the European zone, Belgium joins Germany and Denmark, classified in the previous day, and France, which also achieved it this Saturday. In South America, Brazil has already sealed its pass.
The Red Devils, third in Russia-2018, will play their 14th final phase of the great tournament. They are first in group E with 19 points in seven games and they can no longer be reached. Second place will go to Wales and the Czech Republic.
Belgium left humble Latvia no chance in the first half, with 84% possession and two shots to the post in the first 20 minutes, by Kevin de Bruyne and Christian Benteke.
The latter, a Crystal Palace player, opened the scoring in the 11th minute. De Bruyne played with Yannick Carrasco, whose center was converted to an empty goal by Benteke.
In the second half (53), Carrasco was in charge of expanding the account. The Atlético player took advantage of a Benteke drop to put the ball into the squad.
Latvia put the game in suspense in the 70s, when Rauno Sappinen held off defender Jason Denayer and his shot was cleared by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Erik Sorga followed the play and found the goal (70).
The illusion of the humble Baltic team did not last long. Four minutes later Thorgan Hazard appeared at the far post to conclude a collective action with a header to the net. AFP