Belgium 3-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina: Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Marouane Fellaini on target but Marc Wilmots' side remain three points behind Wales

• On loan Roma striker Edin Dzeko opened the scoring for the visitors 
• Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini equalised for Belgium 
• The hosts were ahead just before half-time through Kevin De Bruyne
• Eden Hazard made sure of the three points 12 minutes from the end 

By Jack Gaughan for MailOnline

Published: 15:41 EST, 3 September 2015 | Updated: 19:55 EST, 3 September 2015

Opportunity knocked for Kevin De Bruyne. It would not have for many others, but this £52million man is that bit different.

Twenty-five yards out, back to goal with half-time fast approaching, his first touch was a push out in front of him on the spin; the second, an unstoppable rocket past Asmir Begovic. With two touches all in one movement, Belgium were ahead in a flash of wonder.

There really is something box office about De Bruyne and don’t Manchester City just know it. This goal gave Belgium a lead in a game they had to win in order to ramp up the pressure on leaders Wales and, luckily for coach Marc Wilmots, he has a genuine phenomenon at his disposal. Without the 24-year-old’s divine intervention they looked fairly ordinary.

The Belgium players join hands and salute the crowd after their victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina

Eden Hazard completed the scoring for Belgium by making it 3-1 from the penalty spot on 78 minutes

The Chelsea midfielder pumps his fist in celebration after dispatching his penalty into the bottom 

Hazard is congratualted by his team-mate Radja Nainggolan after sealing Belgium's victory

So ordinary in fact that Edin Dzeko gave Bosnia an unlikely lead.

The goal came down the right, Eden Hazard committed to nabbing possession when he had no right, leaving Mensur Mujdza plenty of room to march into the box unopposed and dig out an agricultural cross to Dzeko, cranking his neck to divert into Thibaut Courtois’ left-hand corner. 

The flares were lit, smoke bombs released from a travelling contingent to have ground Brussels’ metro system to a halt three hours before kick-off.

For all his faults, and Manuel Pellegrini found many, Dzeko’s goals - this was his 43rd internationally - have put Bosnia on the footballing map. New employers Roma will benefit greatly from his know-how.

Not the start Belgium had in mind, but the deficit lasted barely seven minutes.

De Bruyne sized up a corner, saw Marouane Fellaini galloping from 18 yards and his new Manchester foe powered a header beyond Asmir Begovic. 

Kevin De Bruyne wheels away in celebration after giving Belgium the lead two minutes before half-time

Manchester City's latest big-money signing is mobbed by his team-mates after firing Belgium ahead

The King Baudouin Stadium had been tense; chances of automatic qualification had become narrower, the relief then punched from Fellaini’s right fist in celebration almost reverberating around these parts.

It could also have something to do with the fine imposed upon him earlier in the week after turning up for the camp later. There always appears something to prove with Fellaini.

But he did drive the hosts on when pushed further forward, his physical frame the perfect plan B for Wilmots as Hazard and De Bruyne, initially at least, were frustrated behind Romelu Lukaku. It so happened plan B was look for the afro - a long Toby Alderweireld ball over the top almost garnered a second but Fellaini flashed wide on the turn.

Then it all clicked. De Bruyne’s set pieces continued to trouble, Lukaku nodding over, before it was his time on the stroke of half-time.

He had been frustrated, that much was true, but there was nothing Mehmed Bazdarevic’s visitors could do when De Bruyne took possession 25 yards from goal. Away he spun, sending a stinging strike across Begovic, arrowed into a corner. Brussels stood and saluted. 

The 24-year-old points to the skies as his new club team-mate Vincent Kompany joins him in celebration

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini beats Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to equalise

Fellaini is congratulated by De Bruyne after drawing the home side level midway through the first half

In truth, those inside just cheered when he took on possession - the obsession really is that strong.

Everything productive went through City’s new No 17, but questions remain about just how the golden generation of this nation cannot perform consistently together. They flattered to deceive at the 2014 World Cup and have rather staggered through this group, although qualification is in their hands.

And this was no easy ride - Bosnia might have got back into this game. Courtois was forced into a very smart stop after the break before then denying Senad Lulic. Dzeko fired wide and thwarted by the legs of Chelsea’s No 1. Despite the early promise it was not to be their night.

Lukaku squandered two super chances as this ebbed and flowed going into the final 15 minutes, before Hazard won a penalty, dispatching with ease and adding gloss. Beat Cyprus away on Sunday and Belgium are all but there; De Bruyne will doubtless have something to do with that.

The win was given the royal seal of approval as Kompany greets King Philippe of Belgium

The star-studded Belgium team line-up for a photograph ahead of kick-off on Thursday night

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