Marouane Fellaini’s early goal was enough to condemn Israel to another home defeat despite Vincent Kompany’s second-half red card.
Belgium moved level on points with Wales at the top of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group B as they scraped a victory in Jerusalem despite seeing captain Vincent Kompany dismissed.
The sides came into the match on the back of contrasting results – Belgium winning 5-0 on Saturday, while Israel lost 3-0 at home to Wales – and they were true to form in the first period. Marouane Fellaini scored his third goal in two games to give the visitors a ninth-minute lead, and they managed to survive despite Kompany receiving a second yellow on 64 minutes.
Quickly picking up where they left off against Cyprus at the weekend, Marc Wilmots’s men were quickly on the front foot and went ahead with the clock still in single figures. Radja Nainggolan’s volleyed effort sliced off the midfielder’s boot but fell to Kompany who had his first attempt repelled by Ofir Marciano before converting a simple tap-in.
It was one-way traffic and the Red Devils should have stretched their lead before the interval but Kevin De Bruyne skimmed a shot just wide of the right-hand post while Marciano saved well from Christian Benteke and Nainggolan blasted over from range.
It was a completely different story after the break as Israel came out with something to prove. Thibaut Courtois was required to be at his best as he stopped a pair of swerving thunderbolts from Eran Zahavi. The first, from a central position, was clawed away from the left of the Belgian keeper’s goal, while a follow-up from the right edge of the box seemed destined for the top-right corner until a Courtois fingertip diverted its path.
Belgium’s advantage looked tenuous once Kompany hauled back Zahavi as the No7 broke to receive a second booking, and the visitors had Courtois to thank again as he proved a rock in the closing stages. The pick of his heroics came as he plunged to deny Ben Sahar’s powerful strike, but there was no way through for Israel who have now lost their last two after opening with a trio of wins.
Group B standings
1. Belgium 11
2. Wales 11
3. Israel 9
4. Cyprus 6
5. Bosnia 5
6. Andorra 0
