Andreas Makris is a Late Substitute as Belgium Ease Past Cyprus Andreas Makris is a Late Substitute as Belgium Ease Past Cyprus

Andreas Makris is a Late Substitute as Belgium Ease Past Cyprus

As the international schedule continues, Walsall attacker Andreas Makris was named on the bench as Cyprus took on Belgium in their opening FIFA World Cup qualification Group H match.
As the international schedule continues, Walsall attacker Andreas Makris was named on the bench as Cyprus took on Belgium in their opening FIFA World Cup qualification Group H match.

Makris, who joined the club for a club-record fee in August, was a second-half substitute as he and his Cypriot teammates, including former Walsall defender Jason Demetriou, were defeated by their Belgian counterparts at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

Belgium, who are managed by former Saddler Roberto Martinez, took the lead after thirteen first-half minutes as Everton's Romelu Lukaku was alert to head home following a poorly dealt-with freekick.

As the game passed the hour mark, Lukaku would get his and Belgium's second goal, as, in similar fashion to the first, as he rose highest to head home after the 'keeper had parried a cross into his path.

Former Anorthosis Famagusta attacker Makris took to the field after seventy-eight minutes as he replaced Grigoris Kastanos, but could do little to change the game as Belgium would add a third goal with nine minutes of normal time remaining.

As Lukaku had earlier been substituted, it was Atletico Madrid midfielder Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco who was on hand to slot home following Kevin de Bruyne's parried effort.

The visitors were awarded a penalty with just a couple of minutes remaining as Chelsea's Eden Hazard was felled in the box. Second-half substitute Michy Batshuayi was the man to step up to the spot but was denied by 'keeper Constantinos Panayi, who got down well to prevent their opponents from further extending their lead.

Not much time for Andreas to make an impact as Cyprus open their campaign with a defeat.
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