Breaking into World Cup club all in the mind for Belgium


Soccer Football - World Cup - Group G - Belgium vs Tunisia - Spartak Stadium, Moscow, Russia - June 23, 2018 Belgium's Michy Batshuayi misses a chance to score REUTERS/Carl Recine

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Eight goals in two victories prove Belgium are World Cup contenders but coach Roberto Martinez says breaking into the exclusive club of champions means winning mind games as much as matches on the pitch.

Before giving his squad a day off with their families after Saturday's 5-2 Group G win over Tunisia, the Spaniard waved away talk of supplanting stuttering favourites like Germany or Brazil and acknowledged lapses in concentration and defensive frailties that will have to be tightened against England on Thursday.

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