Belgium 0-0 Portugal
Both countries have genuine world class talents.
Both countries have supporters expecting them to do well.
One nation is the reigning European champion and boasts the best player on the planet.
The other has a pool of talent which is the envy of most other nations on the planet.
So what would this pre-World Cup friendly at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels tell us?
Highlights of the game
It tells us sports betting fans that talent wise, both nations should make at least the quarter -finals.
This was end-to-end for the most part with both sides reluctant to hold back.
Roberto Martinez named a Premier League-heavy line-up with eight Premier League players in action.
Yannick Carrasco was the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when he struck the side-netting after deceiving three opponents.
However, a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal had the edge as the half drew to a close.
World player of the year Ronaldo was always expected to be given a breather, a week after helping Real Madrid win a third successive Champions League.
It was clear from Eden Hazard’s reaction nine minutes into the second half that this was not your average friendly – the Belgium maverick rejecting the offer of a handshake after he was hauled down by Portuguese defender Pepe who was promptly booked.
The departure of Vincent Kompany, moments after he appeared to tweak his groin, may be the only home concern on a night Belgium looked in good shape for an assault on the world’s greatest stage.
Chances continued to arrive with Gelson Martins missing a gilt-edged opportunity moments before he was substituted and Portugal goalkeeper Beto denying Thomas Meunier with a fine save.
In the end the game petered out, as proven in the final minute when Kevin de Bruyne delivered a pinpoint cross and both Beto and late substitute Dedryck Boyata half-heartedly pulled out, presumably to avoid injury.
It didn’t help Beto as, moments later, he left the field clutching his hamstring and it’s hoped he has not caused serious damage.
On a wider note, the thought of seeing the likes of Ronaldo, Hazard, de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Bernardo Silva and Joao Mario in the month ahead is one to potentially savour.
Key statistics
It was a proud night for Belgium and Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen as he earned his 100th cap.
He is already his country’s record-appearance holder and he will definitely be in the final World Cup squad.
Indeed, we probably already know the make-up of the Belgium squad heading to Russia.
That’s because while it may be 48 hours until associations have to submit their squad lists to FIFA, a broadcaster revealed photos of 23 mattresses with the names of Belgium players being loaded up by a bedding company: destination Russia.
What’s next?
Friendlies against Egypt and Costa Rica are to come but really the next main game for Belgium is the opener of their World Cup match schedule against Panama on June 18.
After a feeling of underachievement at the last World Cup and Euro 2016, Martinez and his assistant Thierry Henry are under pressure for the Belgium side to deliver their best showing at a tournament since they reached the semi-finals in Mexico 86.
A new-look Portugal, with many new faces from their Euro 2016 triumph, face Algeria next week before a tantalising opener against neighbours Spain in Sochi on June 15.
World Cup 18 is almost here!
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