Intro:

Belgium beat Spain 5-2 in Pool A of the Men's Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands.

Spain had already been eliminated before the game and rarely posed much of a threat.

Script:

Belgium took a huge stride towards a place in the semi-finals of the Men's Hockey World Cup in The Hague with a comprehensive 5-2 victory over a lacklustre Spain.

Tanguy Cosyns put Belgium ahead in the twelfth minute from a penalty corner, and Alexandre de Saedeleer doubled their lead four minutes later with more of the same.

Belgium went in at half-time with a three-goal lead as Emmanuel Stockbroekx made the most of some poor Spanish defending with just under two minutes remaining.

In the opening minutes of the second half Spain gave away another penalty corner, which Cosyns sent into the net in a similar manner to his earlier goal.

John-John Dohmen took Belgium's lead to five, but Eduard Tubau and Santi Freixa claimed two late consolation goals for Spain.

While Spain's elimination from the tournament was already confirmed before the match, Belgium take on England in their final match with a place in the last four at stake.