Belgium 1-0 Tunisia: Adnan Januzaj wins his first cap in hailstorm delayed victory... but Romelu Lukaku limps off with injury



Of all the potential derailments on the way to the World Cup, Belgium coach Marc Wilmots had possibly not considered hailstones the size of golf balls in early June.

But that is what he had to contend with as a downpour forced a temporary halt to Belgium’s friendly against Tunisia, 23 minutes into their final warm-up game before they fly to Brazil on Tuesday.

When the sides re-emerged 40 minutes later, the pitch resembled a driving range in peak season.

Super sub: Dries Mertens (C) came on to score a last minute winner in Belgium's 1-0 victory over Tunisia

Injury fear: Romelu Lukaku was replaced in the dying minutes after injuring himself in a 50/50 challenge

The lengthy break was punctuated by three pitch invasions. Two trespassers were felled by the hailstones and one halted by a crunching rugby tackle from a steward. Such mirth was not replicated by the below-par Belgium, who limped to a 1-0 victory — Romelu Lukaku quite literally. The Chelsea striker hobbled off in stoppage time, pointing to his left ankle. It was not immediately apparent if the injury is serious enough to threaten his World Cup ambitions. Lukaku started the game on the bench as a precaution for a slight muscle strain and was brought on after 61 minutes to replace 19-year-old Divock Origi. Catch me if you can: Chelsea star Eden Hazard (L) speeds away from Tunisia's Houcine Nater (R)

Collision course: Belgium's Divock Origi (L up) fights for the ball with Tunisia's goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha (R)

In teh red: Everton's Kevin Mirallas (L) fights for the ball with Tunisia's Yssine Mikari (R) during the friendly

He was tackled in the penalty area but returned to his feet and played on for five minutes before the Belgium medical team coaxed him off the pitch. Belgium are now fifth favourites to win the World Cup, no longer the dark horses they once were. If they play like they did last night they will struggle to get beyond the round of 16. Too often they gave the ball away cheaply and, against stronger opposition, they would have been punished. But Tunisia did not capitalise on their chances and an 89th-minute goal from substitute Dries Mertens ensured Belgium head out to Brazil with three wins in their three warm-up games. The diminutive Napoli winger, 27, fired home from inside the box with Spurs midfielder Nacer Chadli claiming the assist. Ice, ice, baby: Hail stones the size of gold balls called Belgium's game against Tunisia to be delayed

Postponed: The World Cup Brazuca ball lies on the pitch after the hailstorm forced players to retreat

Take cover! Belgium's final warm-up game for the World Cup was postponed after a severe hailstorm

Wally in the brolly: A photographer tries to avoid hailstones the size of golf balls at the King Baudion stadium

Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj was given a rousing reception when he came on after 73 minutes. The 19-year-old was making his official international debut. He had played in the 5-1 victory over Luxembourg last month — but the match was wiped from the record books because Wilmots fielded too many substitutes. There were no such hiccups last night. Wilmots fielded an almost full-strength team featuring eight of his likely starting 11 for their first game against Algeria. Only Lukaku, Axel Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne are likely to be back on the teamsheet for that first group game in Belo Horizonte. There was plenty to interest English football fans with seven of Belgium’s starting 11 last night belonging to Premier League clubs.

Drizzle? Belgium's coach Marc Wilmots reacts to the rainy sky, moments before the game was postponed