A first-half strike from Marouane Fellaini handed Belgium a vital 1-0 win over Israel this evening in their Euro 2016 qualifier despite playing the final 30 minutes of the match with 10 men after Vincent Kompany was sent off.
The visitors could have taken the lead early in the game when Israel lost possession of the ball just outside the box, and Axel Witsel almost took advantage as he fired an effort towards goal, only to see his strike go wide of the post.
Belgium took the lead when Radja Nainggolan's shot was deflected into the path of Kompany, who saw his low effort saved by Ofir Marciano, but Fellaini was on hand to fire home the rebound from inside the six-yard box.
Marc Wilmots's men could have doubled their lead when Eden Hazard released the run of Kevin De Bruyne through the middle, but Marciano kept the hosts in the match with a fine stop.
Just before the break, Belgium had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Christian Benteke blasted an effort at goal which appeared to strike the arm of Rami Gershon on the way to the net, but the referee waved away the appeals.
In the second half, Israel upped the ante as Eran Zahavi picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and fired a powerful drive towards the top corner, which forced Thibaut Courtois into a good stop.
The Chelsea man was called on again minutes later when Zahavi found further space down the right and tried to bend the ball beyond Courtois's reach, but the keeper made a fine diving save.
Life became tougher for Belgium when Kompany was sent off for his second bookable offence by referee Mark Clattenburg as he pulled back Zahavi after losing the ball in an advanced position.
Courtois made another fine stop to deny Ben Sahar an equaliser with a low drive towards the bottom corner, while at the other end Toby Alderweireld was denied by a good reaction save from Marciano.
Israel poured forward in numbers to pump up the pressure as Belgium dropped deeper into their own box, but the visitors managed to keep them at bay to secure the three points to move them equal on points with Wales at the top of Group B.
