Belgium earned a 3-2 victory over Norway to end their pre-Euro 2016 preparations on a high, courtesy of goals from Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Laurent Ciman.
Just three minutes had been played when Lukaku smashed the ball home for his 12th international goal, before Joshua King found the net to level things up.
Any hope the hosts had of a stroll in their last warm-up match fast faded as Veton Berisha added a second goal for the Scandinavian outfit early in the second half.
Belgium did get the win they were after, though, as Hazard and Ciman both scored headed goals in quick succession to turn the game on its head for a second time.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded in Brussels with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the international friendly meeting between Belgium and Norway at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The European Championship finals are now just five days away, so this is the Red Devils' final chance to prepare themselves before making the short cross-border journey to France.
In an extended 24-team tournament, Marc Wilmots' men are among the favourites to go all the way - not surprising when taking a glance at the current FIFA world rankings. The bottom line is this: Belgium do not tend to lose too many games and, when looking at the strength in depth throughout their squad, this is a side that many will want to avoid this summer. Today we have one final chance to give the Red Devils an in-depth look over.
Sine the start of 2014, Wilmots' charges have lost just three times. One of those defeats came at the hands of Wales almost exactly a year ago in a highly-entertaining qualifier in Cardiff, while Argentina and, most recently, Portugal have also claimed rare wins. That reverse at the hands of the South American nation came at the last World Cup, of course, as Belgian hopes came to a crushing end at the quarter-final stage in Rio.
Of the 26 games played over the past two-and-a-half years, Belgium have won 19 - including four at the World Cup prior to their slender defeat to Argentina. Many may not see them as the planet's second best side, but when going by results alone there is little room for debate. Belgium once more showed their strength in qualifying for the European Championship, too, as they just about pipped Wales to top spot in Group B to progress as winners.
Belgium did drop five points when facing Wales, showing that they are not quite the match-winning beast that they must become if they are to indeed end their hoodoo on the big stag this summer. Since reaching the Euro finals Belgium have played four friendly matches, where they have so far beaten Italy and Switzerland but lost to Portugal and drawn with Finland.
That 1-1 stalemate against Finland came here in Brussels a few days back. Romelu Lukaku was the hero in the final minute of the game after Belgium fell behind inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half. Hardly a result to shout about with a little over week to go until their opening fixture, granted, but Wilmots knows that these friendly fixtures are essentially about getting any mistakes out of the system when they count for little.
Wilmots actually named a strong side for that Finland game, selecting Michy Batshuayi up top as the forward - linked heavily with both West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur of late - attempts to oust Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi for a starting spot at the Euros. We will take a look at the team news shortly, but it will certainly be interesting to see how the Red Devils shape up in this final pre-tournament fixture.
Jason Denayer was selected at the back, meanwhile - the Manchester City youngster making the most of some injury problems at the back that could well cost Belgium when it comes to facing the fellow big boys in France. Vincent Kompany's withdrawal from the squad is well known by now - and depressingly inevitable - while Thomas Vermaelen has also pulled out of this match with a calf strain sustained in training on Friday.
Elsewhere, Bjorn Engels and Nicolas Lombaerts have also been forced into pulling out of the squad because of injury problems, while Dedryck Boyata did likewise with an issue of his own. The good news for coach Wilmots is that he is blessed with other defensive talents who can fill in nicely, albeit without any true full-back options which has forced the Red Devils boss to move a couple of centre-backs out wide over the past few years.
Belgium's inspirational skipper Vincent Kompany was forced to pull out of the Euro 2016 squad due to his latest injury setback sustained at the back end of the season with club side Manchester City. His Etihad Stadium teammate Kevin de Bruyne is fit and firing, however, and will be one of the players to watch in France over the coming month for a Belgium side backed as fifth favourites to go all the way.
So despite more than a few injury concerns and certain key men perhaps lacking form, Belgium are still much fancied to cause some damage in France. Unlike two years ago when reaching the World Cup, the Red Devils will head to the Euros as one of the favourites - the tag of underdogs is not something they can now justifiably use as a defence should they falter at the quarter-final stage like they did in Brazil.
In terms of Belgium's Euros group, they face Italy, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland - a daunting group on the face of it and one that they will need to be at their best to progress from. The expanded tournament does mean that the Red Devils can finish third and will still likely make it into the knockout stages, but Wilmots knows that finishing top of the pile should - should! - mean an easier fixture in the round of 16.
If things go to plan in France, which it so often doesn't, then Belgium could face the Czech Republic and Germany in their first two knockout fixtures. Being in the same half of the draw as the world champions is never a good thing, of course, yet the Red Devils certainly do not lack confidence. With four wins in their last six outings, and just three defeats in 26 games played since the start of 2014, they can head across the boarder with their heads held high.
Belgium get their Euro 2016 campaign underway with a match against Italy in Lyon on June 13 - one of the standout fixtures in the group stage. Then comes the Republic of Ireland five days later in the heat of Bordeaux, before Sweden in Nice on June 22. You would back the Red Devils to come out on top in each of those latter two fixtures, meaning a draw in their opener with 2006 world champions Italy would not be too undesirable.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on eight previous occasions, and Belgium have yet to lose a single match. Five of those outings have ended in victory for the Red Devils, too, so history suggests that they will head to the European Championship finals on the back of a confidence-boosting triumph. The last encounter between the two came in August 2004 when they played out a 2-2 draw.
Switching attention to the visiting side now, and Norway head to Brussels on the back of a decent victory over Iceland last time out. Per-Mathias Hogmo guided his side to a 3-2 win against the Euro 2016 finalists, fielding a 4-3-3 formation in that one which was spearheaded by Bournemouth's Joshua King through the middle. Next up for the Scandinavian outfit after today's outing is a meeting with Germany in September - their first World Cup qualifier.
Preparation now is very much geared up towards that World Cup qualifying campaign, having failed to make the 24-team cut for Euro 2016. Norway were pitted in pot three but could not overperform as they eventually finished in third place to secure a playoff meeting with Hungary. A 3-1 aggregate defeat followed, meaning more heartbreak for the major tournament minnows.
It was not the easiest of qualifying groups, in truth, with Italy and Croatia the top two seeds. Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Malta were also included, but successive goalless home draws exactly a year ago ultimately cost Hogmo's charges a place in the finals. They did end well with three defeats from four, though, only losing their final outing away to Italy, so hopes are high of going one better during the next campaign.
Since the qualification process ended, Norway have taken on Estonia, Finland, Iceland and Portugal - losing to the latter but picking up two draws and a win from the other two matches. In terms of their World Cup 2016 qualifying group, the Scandinavians face Azerbaijan, San Marino, Czech Republic and Northern Ireland, as well as top seeds Germany, which is a nice enough group on the face of it.
Norway fell just short in qualifying for Euro 2016, finishing third in their group behind top-two seeds Italy and Croatia. They may have ended their group-stage fixtures on a high, claiming three wins from four, but defeat to Hungary in the playoffs signalled what was ultimately a disappointing campaign on the whole.
TEAM NEWS!
BELGIUM XI: Courtois, Denayer, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, J. Lukaku, Nainggolan, Witsel, De Bruyne, Hazard, Mertens, R. Lukaku
NORWAY XI: Nyland, Svensson, Hovland, Forren, Aleesami, Johansen, Berisha, Selnaes, King, Henriksen, Diomande
So Wilmots has named a strong-looking side once again, then, which includes Romelu Lukaku as the focal point in attack just a few days on from his late goal against Finland. It is always interesting to see which player gets the nod up top for a Red Devils side boasting so much attacking talent, with aforementioned trio Origi, Batshuayi and Benteke all missing out on the starting lineup this evening.
We already knew that Vermaelen would miss out due to that thigh injury sustained in training on Friday, only making matters worse for Belgium in defence after a raft of players withdrew from the squad. Tottenham Hotspur pairing Vertonghen and Alderweireld have been selected in central defence, while Man City's Denayer looks as though he will shuffle out to full-back.
So much quality in midfield, meanwhile, where Chelsea-linked Radja Nainggolan and Axel Witsel will do much of the work. Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens have the potential to open up any defence, meanwhile, but there is no room for Atletico Madrid's Yannick Ferreira Carrasco who is also nursing a thigh injury. Marouane Fellaini (groin) and Mousa Dembele (muscle) are also rested from the start.
In terms of the visitors, Hogmo has once more named Joshua King through the middle in attack. Hull City's Adama Diomande, who spent the first half of last season in his native Norway, is also chosen in attack having played his part in the Tigers' promotion to the Premier League by bagging three goals in the final four months of the season.
BENCH WATCH!
BELGIUM SUBS: Ciman, Batshuayi, Benteke, Dembele, Fellaini, Gillet, Kabasele, Mignolet, Origi
NORWAY SUBS: Berisha, Fossum, Gabrielsen, Grytebust, Gunnarsson, Hansen, Jenssen, Linnes, Samuelsen, Sorloth, Standberg
If proof was needed of Belgium's strength in depth, even with those mounting injury concerns at the back, just look at their back-up options. Fellaini and Dembele are not quite fully fit enough to play a part from the off, while Batshuayi, Origi and Benteke have to bide their time as Wilmots favours Lukaku in attack. Simon Mignolet provides cover for Thibaut Courtois, meanwhile, and could play some part today.
Both sets of players have now made their way out onto the field of play, with kickoff at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels around six minutes or so away now. The pressure is one Belgium this evening to pick up victory, even if this is only a friendly, while visitors Norway will see this as a chance to pick up a second positive result on the bounce following that 3-2 triumph over Iceland.
PREDICTION! Belgium boast so much quality right across the field, but nowhere is that more apparent than in attack. Lukaku will be eager to build on his goal last time out and nail down a starting spot for the Euros, so I expect him to shine this evening against a Norway side with one eye on the future. The visitors have the ability to score goals, as we saw a few days ago, but I can only see a straightforward Red Devils win today. 2-0.
We are now just a couple of minutes away from kickoff in Brussels but before getting underway we will first go through the pre-match anthems, starting with visitors Norway.
KICKOFF! We are up and running in Brussels, where Belgium are looking to make a quick start against Norway. Jordan Lukaku is filling in at left-back, incidentally, with Denayer on the other flank as expected.
GOAL! BELGIUM 1-0 NORWAY (ROMELU LUKAKU)
Well I said Belgium were eager to make a big impression this evening! It has taken them just three minutes to get off the mark, courtesy of Lukaku's stinging shot from right on the edge of the box. Some poor defending allowed him to put his foot through the ball, but I have no idea what Nyland was doing as he let it slip through his hands.
Better from Norway, as they look to keep hold of possession following that early setback. A decent centre into the box caused a few problems but it was easily dealt with in the end by the home side, who lead through that Lukaku belter.
Norway win themselves a free kick 30 yards from goal, which proves to be too far out to test Courtois in any way. Instead it is lofted into the box before a Belgian head clears away. A more evenly-matched contest now compared to the opening stages.
Brilliant play from Belgium down the left, which sees Jordan Lukaku play the ball to Mertens. A quick one-two later and the midfielder is inside the box with Witsel alongside him, but the danger is well cleared by a white shirt.
SHOT! Witsel getting forward well early on, with his first shot of the match ended narrowly wide of the target. Nyland was scrambling across to his left but did not need to get a touch on the ball in the end.
Norway getting some decent crosses into the box, which so far are not being converted into shots. They win themselves another corner, but it is cleared by Lukaku at the front post once again.
The simplest of stops for Courtois as a weak shot comes in. Belgium appear to have lost their way over the past few minutes, but Lukaku's 12th international goal is proving to be enough at the moment to keep them ahead of their opponents.
Belgium had the ball on the edge of their opponents' box for what felt like an age, but they just could not pick out a killer ball. Some nice play, nonetheless, which offers confidence that they can bag one or two more across the duration of this match.
Mertens' delivery into the box is crying out for a touch, but it does not arrive. A chance that Fellaini, you feel, would have made the most of had he been fully fit and in the side this evening. Belgium in complete control at the moment but still with just the one goal to their name.
GOAL! BELGIUM 1-1 NORWAY (JOSHUA KING)
Nainggolan's error in midfield proves costly as Norway put together a killer move to level things up here. Johansen played a superb reverse pass into the path of King, who opened up his body and tucked the ball across the body of Courtois despite the angle being against him. What a fine goal that was for the visitors - their first real attack!
The hosts were getting plenty of bodies in behind in the opening 20 minutes or so, but Norway now looking dangerous themselves after levelling things up. King in particular a real threat, with only a vital Vertonghen block denying the visitors a potential second of the match.
Some silky play from De Bruyne down the right as he works some space and sends in another good delivery, which Forren is this time equal to. Lukaku was in a good position, but he was just beaten to the ball by the Norway centre-back.
Norway were second best for the opening quarter of this game and found themselves a goal down to Lukaku's strike, but King levelled up 22 minutes in and since then it has been an evenly-matched contest on the whole.
I've been impressed by Jordan Lukaku down the left flank so far today, and his latest cross is right on the money for brother Romelu to head over the bar. Good play from the Red Devils again - they need to make the half-chances count, though.
Norway certainly not scared to get players in attack. I half expected them to sit back for large parts perhaps ways of their opponents' array of attacking talents, but they are using their pace to get in behind so far in Brussels.
The match has quietened down over the pat few minutes, but there is now a familiar theme as Belgium take control for large parts without causing Nyland any real problems. That will have to change if they are to head to the Euro finals on the back of a win.
Nainggolan looks rattled every time he gets on the ball and put under a little pressure. He always seems to have a mistake in him, as witnessed already today and also almost a year ago to the day when setting up Bale in a 1-0 defeat against Wales.
More of a pedestrian pace to the match now as we enter the final stages of the first half. No denying that Belgium have had the better of things in terms of possession in dangerous areas, but they have barely created a chance since initially edging ahead early on.
SAVE! This is the first big save that either keeper has had to make so far. Berisha took down a ball over the top after Belgium's defenders completely switched off but, after cutting inside and getting in a shot, he saw his attempt superbly pushed aside by Courtois.
Half time now edging closer at the King Baudouin Stadium, where we remain locked at 1-1. It has been a good half of football on the whole, but I think both managers will probably take the interval right about now as King prods a shot wide of goal.
Courtois makes a real hash of a free kick delivery into the box, but thankfully for him Jordan Lukaku was the first player to the ball to clear the danger. Norway looking the more likely to score with 60 seconds of the half left to play.
HALF TIME: BELGIUM 1-1 NORWAY
The referee brings the opening 45 minutes to an end. It has been an entertaining half of football on the whole, and certainly as competitive as the scoreline suggests. Belgium took the lead just three minutes in when Lukaku's powerful shot was allowed to squirm through Nyland's grasp, but Norway did hit back 22 minutes in.
The Red Devils failed to make their opening-quarter dominance count, as the visitors brilliantly hit back through King's coll finish. For all of the home side's possession, they largely struggled to make it count and it was actually Norway who came closest to scoring a second when Berisha saw his curled shot kept out by Courtois late in the half.
Courtois fluffed his lines in the final act of the half, too, when failing to collect a free kick which, thankfully for him, Jordan Lukaku got to first to clear away. Plenty of thinking for Marc Wilmots to do at the break, then, so with that in mind let us turn attention towards both sides' back-up options at this midway point in proceedings.
BENCH WATCH!
BELGIUM SUBS: Ciman, Batshuayi, Benteke, Dembele, Fellaini, Gillet, Kabasele, Mignolet, Origi
NORWAY SUBS: Berisha, Fossum, Gabrielsen, Grytebust, Gunnarsson, Hansen, Jenssen, Linnes, Samuelsen, Sorloth, Standberg
Belgium led through Romelu Lukaku's early strike in Brussels, but Norway hit back when Joshua King coolly tucked home a quarter of the way through in this well-contested match.
RESTART! We are back underway at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Can Belgium make a similar impact to the one we saw in the first half? Norway will certainly hope not!
Belgium boss Wilmots opted against making any changes at the interval, incidentally, despite having plenty of players desperate to make one final impression. Expect that to change around the hour mark, with Lukaku, Benteke, Origi and Batshuayi all among the back-up options.
GOAL! BELGIUM 1-2 NORWAY (VETON BERISHA)
Well, well, well. Just moments after Nyland pulled off a stunning save to deny both Witsel and, more impressively, De Bruyne, Norway break up the other end and take the lead through a Berisha belter. The forward may well have caught Courtois off guard a little, as the Chelsea stopper barely moved.
Hazard with another of those teasing crosses into a dangerous zone, but Lukaku could not get enough of a touch on the ball to slide it home. The Everton man got the better of his marker only to mistime his run by a millisecond.
Another scare for Norway at the back, as Witsel once again comes close to finding the back of the net. It will be interesting to see how the visitors go about seeing out the remainder of this game - defend or continue with their current gameplan?
Wilmots readying a few players as we approach the hour mark, with Fellaini likely to be the first to come on. A good decision, too, as it is just not working for Belgium at the moment bar one big save from Nyland early in the half.
BELGIUM SUB! Fellaini does indeed enter the fray, replacing Witsel in a like-for-like change in central midfield. Witsel has looked impressive enough today, but just could not find that killer final ball. Will his replacement fair any better?
Belgium now likely to go more direct with the introduction of Fellaini - not a bad ploy really because the fancy stuff just has not come off so far. Will Benteke, Batshuayi or Origi be introduced anytime soon? It certainly looks likely for two of them.
Norway still look as though they have a third goal in them, simply refusing to sit back and instead having a real go at their opponents. Belgium looking anything but a side ranked at number two in the world at the moment.
Belgium struggling to create anything of any note as we approach the final quarter of the match, still chasing a goal to peg their opponents back. A really impressive performance from Norway so far to keep their opponents out while at the same time taking their chances.
BELGIUM SUB! Wilmots makes his second change of the evening, but it is not one that I was expecting. Denayer is the man hauled off to be replaced by Ciman. A few top-quality attacking options being made to wait before being turned to.
NORWAY SUB! Hogmo makes his first alteration of the match, bringing on Valon Berisha for Hull's Diomande. We now have two sets of brothers on the field - a rarity to say the least!
GOAL! BELGIUM 2-2 NORWAY (EDEN HAZARD)
Belgium have just been turning the screw a little over the past couple of minutes, and they now have a leveller through Hazard's glancing header. A cross from De Bruyne caused all sorts of problems, with Hazard just getting the smallest of touches to help it past Nyland.
Some more impressive build-up play from the Red Devils, who are inches away from a third when Nainggolan slides in at the back post. It has been a superb contest so far, and we still have a little over 15 minutes to play in this Brussels friendly!
CHANCE! Openings coming thick and fast for the hosts now. Lukaku rounds Nyland but by the time he turns his large frame he sees his shot blocked away off the line. Belgium well on top.
GOAL! BELGIUM 3-2 NORWAY (LAURENT CIMAN)
I questioned his introduction 10 minutes ago, but Lauren Ciman - the Montreal Impact defender - has headed Belgium ahead 15 minutes from time in this thrilling friendly! A corner was not properly dealt with, and the substitute simply guided the ball beyond Nyland to put his side back into the lead.
YELLOW CARDS! Like London buses, we wait all evening for a booking and then two come along at once; Jordan Lukaku and Jonas Svensson cautioned within 60 seconds of each other.
BELGIUM SUB! The game has barely been given a chance to settle since Belgium regained their lead, with those two bookings being followed up by the hosts' third change - Origi on for Mertens with 10 minutes to go.
NORWAY SUB! Joshua King, the scorer of Norway's first goal of the match, has put in a superb shift this evening. The Bournemouth man has faded away, however, and Hogmo has now replaced him with Alexander Sorloth.
BELGIUM SUB! Moussa Dembele, another of those players nursing an injury in the week, comes on for Hazard late on in Brussels. It has been a superb match, but the last 10 minutes have been heavily disrupted by subs.
Norway have been defending pretty much since conceding those quick-fire goals, but they still have four minutes or so to snatch a third goal. They were good value for their lead for large parts, but Belgium did finally click into gear in the attacking third and have reaped the rewards.
Belgium now looking to knock the ball around the field of play. They have certainly been made to work hard for this victory, with just two minute of normal time now left to go.
Just two minute of added time to be played at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Not expecting any late drama, though, with the ball being knocked around exclusively in the home side's half at the moment. A decent result for the Red Dragons in the end!
FULL TIME: BELGIUM 3-2 NORWAY
The full-time whistle is blown in Brussels, meaning Belgium head to the European Championship finals with that victory they were after. They were certainly made to work hard for the win, which is not such a bad thing with their tournament opener now a week away. Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Laurent Ciman were the goalscorers, helping the Red Devils to a 3-2 triumph.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the King Baudouin Stadium. We will be bringing you coverage from a couple more pre-Euros friendlies later this week, including games involving both Spain and Italy, so be sure to join us then!
