Belgium delivered a commanding 5-0 victory over Tunisia in their final pre-tournament friendly on Saturday, sending the Red Devils off to the United States in high spirits ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The match, played in front of a sold-out King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, was competitive in the first half but turned decisively after the break when a red card left Tunisia with ten men.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring after half an hour, tapping in a cross from Jérémy Doku, before Charles De Ketelaere doubled the lead shortly after half-time. Tunisia's situation worsened when midfielder Ismaël Gharbi received his second yellow card, leaving his side a man down. Belgium capitalised ruthlessly, with Kevin De Bruyne, Dodi Lukebakio, and Nicolas Raskin all finding the net to complete a emphatic scoreline.

Tunisia, a North African nation making their sixth World Cup appearance, had their moments in the opening period. Omar Rekik — younger brother of former Netherlands international Karim Rekik — spurned an early close-range opportunity that could have changed the complexion of the match. The result continues a difficult run of form for Tunisia: earlier in the week, Austria had beaten them 1-0, with the Austrians playing much of that match with ten men themselves.

The result carries added significance beyond Belgium's own preparations. Tunisia are also in the World Cup group containing the Netherlands, and their opponents in that fixture will have noted how quickly the Tunisians were undone once reduced to ten men. The Netherlands face Tunisia on 26 June in Kansas City, in what will be the final match of their group stage.

For Belgium, the comfortable win provides a timely confidence boost. The Red Devils, whose golden generation — including De Bruyne — are entering what may be their last major tournament together, will hope that this display signals a return to form when competitive football begins.