Belgium vs Tunisia: Roberto Martinez packs side full of attackers, Eden Hazard warrants the captaincy, Nabil Maaloul’s gameplan implodes within minutes

Belgium 5-2 Tunisia: Five things we learned from the Group G encounter in Moscow

Belgium romped to victory over Tunisia to take control of Group G with an emphatic 5-2 victory in Moscow.

The Red Devils sliced and diced the North Africans throughout this sweltering encounter at the Spartak Stadium to finally show why they are considered World Cup contenders.

Eden Hazard won a penalty in the opening minutes which he converted himself to undo Tunisia's hopes of frustrating Roberto Martinez's team.

Romelu Lukaku then scored a brilliant brace either side of a Tunisia goal to extend the lead.

Hazard then rounded the keeper to score his second and Belgium's fourth in the second half.

Michy Batshuayi came off the substitutes’ bench to complete the rout with a deft finish from close range, before Wahbi Khazri added a consolation as he swivelled eight-yards out to tap in a cross.

Here are five things we learned.

1. Martinez packs Belgium with attackers

Romelu Lukaku (right) celebrates with teammates Dries Mertens, left, and Thomas Meunier after scoring their team's third goal (AP)

Perhaps learning from the way a stacked Tunisian defence frustrated England on Monday in Volgograd, Roberto Martinez decided that he would attack from the off and played an aggressive-looking side.

Kevin De Bruyne was a deep-lying playmaker and often the lone man in front of Belgium’s back three as Axel Witsel bombed on and the wing-backs got into advanced positions.

A front three of Dries Mertens, Hazard and Lukaku would (and should) scare any side at this competition with its blend of pace, trickery and talent. They willingly diced the Tunisian defence, with Hazard’s short-area quickness key in winning the early penalty that blew up the Africans’ gameplay.

Once Belgium were ahead it was impossible to frustrate them and the goals would eventually keep coming, putting Belgium in charge of Group G or, at the very worst, challenging England to do better against Panama in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday lunchtime.

2. Belgium have few chinks in their armour

Tunisia were able to breach the Belgian defence with a set-piece (AFP/Getty Images)

Looking for flaws in this Belgian side is like looking for needles in a haystack.

Roberto Martinez has his critics and is the man under most pressure to make this Red Devils side into a World Cup contender but on the field they have very few areas you’d feel confident targeting as an opposition manager and on the bench they boast so many options that will allow them to take things in a different direction and react to new situations.

Tunisia scored a set-piece goal and that will be an obvious area of focus for England. But it is already one of the most important things to train in international football, as evidenced by the early stages of this tournament, where over half the goals have come from dead-ball situations.

Whereas in club football non-verbal communication is ingrained over time, the trouble with international football is meshing everyone together from different clubs and leagues. Those set-piece moments are your best shot of having everyone on the same page so coach them well and often to have a chance.

3. Tunisia’s plans undone by rash challenge

Eden Hazard is brought down inside the penalty area by Syam Ben Youssef (Reuters)

You can picture the scene as Nabil Maaloul prepared his side for this game.

“Just like the second half against England, let’s keep it tight and frustrate them.”

Within minutes his entire gameplan had been undone by the stupidest of tackles from Syam Ben Youssef, who caught Eden Hazard so late that he might have even been early for their next game against Panama.

With Belgium ahead at that point, Tunisia had to try and score and while they eventually would – through a header from a set piece – Belgium would take advantage of the Tunisians needing to push on by scoring four at the other end.

It is the sort of goal England will need to settle nerves against Panama in Nizhny Novgorod tomorrow. An early strike which completely changes the complexion of unbalanced encounters.

4. Hazard warrants captain’s armband

Eden Hazard celebrates his second goal during the victory over Tunisia (Getty)

With Vincent Kompany watching on from the bench after a groin injury ruled him out of Belgium’s opening two games, Martinez needed a leader on the pitch to inspire teammates in his absence.

Hazard has shown his hidden leadership qualities and accused Romelu Lukaku at half-time against Panama of “hiding” and “going missing,” which inspired the striker’s second half brace and Belgium’s 3-0 win. Hazard led with his actions against Tunisia and produced a performance of notable quality.

He won and scored a penalty after just five minutes before putting on a dazzling display which showcased his trademark attacking runs as well as key passes to release Lukaku in forward areas. Kevin De Bruyne had to settle for a back seat as Hazard went about his business getting the best out of his teammates.

One goal became two when Hazard finished off a lovely move when he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and scored in an empty net. This was the 23rd goal Hazard has been directly involved in during his last 21 appearances for Belgium, scoring 11 and assisting 12.

5. Thumping win hands Belgium inside track

Belgium may well top Group G yet face a more difficult knockout path (EPA)

The Belgians have now racked up two significant victories in this competition, wins by such a margin that only the - ahem - stand-out Russians have bettered them.

It means England have a lot to do against Panama and Belgium. Should the Belgians get a draw in Kaliningrad next Thursday then it will almost certainly give them top spot in Group G but the question is whether that’s actually going to help them.

Given Germany’s struggles, it may ultimately prove to be a disastrous fate in store for the team that wins this group.

For Germany vs Brazil could be a round-of-16 clash to die for, with the winner playing the winner of Group G’s winner and Group H’s runner-up.

It is a lot of hypothesising and guesswork at this point, of course, but it’s also the sort of thing that can drastically affect history.

Should England get all the way to the semi-finals, via an easier draw or not, it remains a huge achievement for both sides and that is how they will be remembered. Earlier exits will slide away into the lost memories of time, but for the careers of Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez an easy draw may ultimately provide the sort of life-changing success one dreams of as a coach.