Eden Hazard struck late to ensure that Belgium continued their bid to claim comfortable Euro 2016 qualification after they beat hosts Cyprus 1-0 in Group B this evening.

After a cagey opening period, Belgium almost hit Cyprus on the break when Kevin de Bruyne exchanged some clever passes with Radja Nainggolan, who eventually saw his shot saved by Antonis Georgallides.

The away side failed to muster much in the first period, and their frustrations were summed up when Toby Alderweireld cleverly chested into the path of De Bruyne, who spliced a poor volley wide.

Marc Wilmots and his men were almost punished just a few moments later, when Andreas Makris worked well with Pieros Sotiriou to curl a dangerous effort the wrong side of the Belgium post.

In defence, Cyprus continued to hold firm as Constantinos Laifis produced some standout ball-reading to thwart De Bruyne, whose adroit through-ball almost found Christian Benteke just before the break.

Belgium were clearly given a talking-to during the interval as they came out quickest in the second period, as both Hazard and Nainggolan both tested Georgallides.

The visitors continued to press for a match-winning goal, this time as Thomas Vermaelen met a cross to send a tame header off target despite being unmarked inside the area.

Cyprus had not given up hope either, and they came back with a chance of their own when Axel Witsel was robbed in midfield, leaving Vincent Laban to curl over the bar from the edge of the area.

The away side's quality eventually showed in the closing minutes of the game, when substitute Dries Mertens produced an incisive cut-back into the path of Hazard, who made no mistake to ensure that Belgium claimed a vital three points on the road.