Israel and Belgium battled it out in a top of the table Group B clash as both sides looked to steal a march on Wales in a bid to qualify for Euro 2016.
Manchester United man Marouane Fellaini claimed the eventual winner which seemed like ancient memory during the closing moments of the game, as Belgium hanged on with 10-men due to Vincent Kompany needlessly getting himself sent-off.
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As always with Belgium, a number of Premier League stars were on show and the win lifts them to top of the group and level on points with Wales. The top two will qualify for the tournament whilst the third place team goes to the play-off round.
Belgium’s opening, and only goal, was made in Manchester as captain Vincent Kompany forced the ball into the area which eventually ricocheted off Fellaini and into the net, the former Everton man didn’t know too much about it. There was also a question of offside against Kompany but he got slightly fortunate.
As the visitors continued to dominate, Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke was denied a penalty after he flicked the ball back into the outstretched arm of the Israel defender, but Mark Clattenburg waved play-on.
This was a game of two halves and the hosts came out strong after the interval and put Belgium under immense pressure. Israel were however reduced to pot-shots from distance, but this swerving effort Eran Zahavi brought out a sensational stop from the ever impressive Thibaut Courtois.
Belgium were forced to play with their backs against wall after captain Vincent Kompany needlessly got himself sent off after receiving a second yellow for cynically stopping a potential Israel counter attack. With Eden Hazard surprisingly substituted, the World Cup quarter-finalists needed to display their battling qualities in order to claim all three points.