Red-hot Doku fires Belgium to World Cup | OneFootball

Jeremy Doku scored twice and assisted another as Belgium confirmed their place at next summer’s World Cup.

The City winger, in sensational for his club, scored two superb goals as the Red Devils thrashed Lichtenstein 7-0 at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liege.

Only a shock defeat to Group J’s basement side could deny Belgium automatic qualification, but Hans Vanaken headed the hosts ahead after just three minutes to set the tone for the evening.

Doku’s first of the night came on 34 minutes as he received the ball in acres of space in the box before hitting a crisp shot past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Seven minutes later, the City winger scored a superb individual goal, beating a number of Lichtenstein players before rasping a powerful shot that flew into the bottom right corner.

Brandon Mechele made it four on 53 and Alexis Saelemaekers tapped home the fifth shortly after.

Charles De Ketelaere made it six  on the hour with Doku credited with the assist and De Ketelaere scored again on 70 as the Belgians ran riot.

That was the signal for Doku’s evening to end with 71 minutes played, with no more goals scored on the night.

Belgium win Group J with Wales going into the play-offs.

Elsewhere, Rayan Ait-Nouri got more vital match minutes under his belt as Algeria continued their Africa Cup of Nations build up.

The City left-back was part of a defensive unit that kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 friendly win away to Saudi Arabia.

Ex-City favourite Riyad Mahrez put the Algerians ahead from the penalty spot on 75 minutes and Rafik Belghali added a second 10 minutes later.

Abdukodir Khusanov was shown a straight red card in Uzbekistan’s 0-0 friendly with Iran.

The City defender, utilised at right-back, was dismissed on 69 minutes in a game his nation won on penalties at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

England Under-21s maintained their unbeaten start to the defence of their European title beating Slovakia 4-0 to move top of their group.

Rico Lewis played 78 minutes of the game and claimed one assist, while Divin Mubama, on loan at Stoke, scored twice (18 and 87 minutes).

Another of our on loan youngsters, Max Alleyne, also banked 78 minutes before being replaced.

Ethan Nwaneri and Josh King were also on target for Lee Carsley’s side.

Sverre Nypan, on loan with Middlesbrough, played the full 90 minutes of Norway U21’s 1-0 win away to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Finally, England U17s’ World Cup dream is over.

The young Lions were beaten 4-0 by Austria in Qatar at the Round of 16 stage.

City’s Dante Headley, Harrison Miles, Reigan Heskey. Kaden Braithwaite all started the game, and Ryan McAidoo came off the bench.