It is difficult to know what will worry Gareth Southgate most when he sits down to see how Belgium extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches with this thrashing of Saudi Arabia. All that can be said with any certainty is that England will need a smart tactical operation in order to combat Kevin De Bruyne’s vision, Eden Hazard’s jinking runs and Romelu Lukaku’s ruthlessness on 28 June.

It was a slick demonstration of Belgium’s attacking brilliance and one that served as ominous proof of the threat that England’s Group G opponents will pose at the World Cup, although one source of encouragement for Southgate might be that Roberto Martínez’s side had a couple of loose moments in defence.

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Martínez had expressed concerns about the pitch at the King Baudouin Stadium but a few muddy patches were not enough to knock a player of De Bruyne’s refinement off his stride. The Manchester City midfielder did not need long to adjust to the uneven playing surface, conjuring an early chance for Dries Mertens with a clever low corner, and it was his sharp pass that allowed Lukaku to break the deadlock in the 13th minute. Lukaku’s strength was far too much for his markers to handle and the striker turned unopposed before beating Fawaz Al-Qarni from 20 yards.

“Rom is someone who has taken that maturity over the last few months to a different level,” Martínez said of the Manchester United forward. “His understanding of the game is evolving all the time. His back-to-goal play has been very good. His focus and trying to be very unselfish in the box is something he is developing really well.”

Saudi Arabia’s timidity in defence did not bode well for the World Cup opener against Russia on 14 June, although at least Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side looked more sprightly whenever they sprung forward. Martínez has been criticised for using Yannick Carrasco at left wing-back, where his defensive vulnerabilities are more exposed, and the visitors jabbed against that weakness, with Fahad Al-Muwallad forcing Simon Mignolet to make a fine save at the end of one flowing break.

Belgium’s superiority was rarely in doubt, however, and they doubled their lead thanks to a moment of inspiration from Hazard, who beat a couple of men before teeing up Lukaku for a simple finish.

The second half gave Martínez a chance to assess his reserves. Anthony Limbombe made his debut and Radja Nainggolan, who has had a tricky relationship with the Belgium manager, was roared on to the pitch.

Admittedly it was not a faultless Belgian performance, with Mignolet fortunate not to concede a penalty after appearing to trip Al-Muwallad. But their defensive concerns were forgotten when Michy Batshuayi added an impressive third after replacing Hazard and De Bruyne finished powerfully after fine work from Lukaku.