Inspirational De Bruyne shines in Belgium win | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne was at his imperious best as Belgium eased past Estonia in Brussels.

The City playmaker was at the heart of everything good the Red Devils did, creating numerous chances for his team-mates throughout the 3-1 victory.

The team ranked No.1 in the world should have won by a bigger margin, striking the woodwork twice and seeing a number of half-chances cleared by the Estonian defence or kept out by the overworked keeper Matvei Igonen.

De Bruyne’s sumptuous free-kick on 14 minutes was pushed onto the post by Igonen.

Belgium were already 1-0 up by that point, De Bruyne feeding Yanncik Carrasco on the left and when his low cross was fumbled by the keeper, the Crystal Palace striker tapped home from a couple of yards out.

Benteke also saw a header thunder off the inside of the post and Eden Hazard should have scored after being sent clear by an outrageous through-ball by De Bruyne.

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Winning his 87th cap for his country, De Bruyne continued where he’d left in the first half  in the second period and after Carrasco scored Belgium’s second – and Estonia pulled a surprise goal back on 70 minutes through Erik Sorga – it was the City favourite who set up Thorgan Hazard to score the third with a beautiful, dinked cross from the left.

It concluded the scoring for the evening, with Belgium already guaranteed top spot in Group E with one more game to come against Wales on Tuesday.

De Bruyne was replaced by Liverpool’s Divock Origi on 83 minutes, leaving the pitch to rapturous applause.

Elsewhere, Nathan Ake was an unused sub as Holland were held 2-2 by  Montenegro.

Though top of Group G with one game remaining, should the Dutch lose at home to Norway on Tuesday and Turkey beat Montenegro, the Oranje would sensationally drop to third in the table.

WATCH: Made In Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne