Eden Hazard won and converted an early penalty after being brought down by Syam Ben Youssef in Moscow, before Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead with a cool finish in the 16th minute after being played in by Dries Mertens, Dylan Bronn pulled one back with a glancing header past Thibaut Courtois from Wahbi Khazri's free-kick.
Lukaku restored his side's two-goal lead with a cheeky finish after being played through by Thomas Meunier, before Hazard bagged his second after rounding Ben Mustapha following a ball over the top from Toby Alderweireld. Michy Batshuayi missed two glorious chances before netting a fifth with a first-time finish in the 90th minute.
BELGIUM 5-2 TUNISIA
It was the most sobering reality check for England. Chilling, you really have to say. Belgium so obliterated the team which Gareth Southgate's players had only squeezed past that their manager issued an apology to the Tunisian nation for a scoreline he said was 'ridiculous.'.
But amid such realities, some reasons to be cheerful about the encounter with the World Cup's new joint-top scorers, on Thursday night. Manager Roberto Martinez spelt out in the aftermath that having now qualified from Group G he will rest players for the match in Kaliningrad.
'If we could have seven days to prepare for that game and then another seven days before the following game then we would start with the same starting XI', he said. 'The reality is that we have qualified - you are only as good as the 23 players.'
Belgium ran riot against Tunisia in Moscow on Saturday, netting five times to become the World Cup's joint top scorers
Twenty-seven-year-old forward Eden Hazard was impressive in the victory, netting twice for the Group G leaders
Hazard (right) is fouled by Tunisia defender Syam Ben Youssef (left) just inside the box in the fifth minute in Moscow
Ben Youssef's (right) clumsy challenge sent Hazard flying and had the referee pointing to the spot for a penalty kick
Chelsea star Hazard gives Belgium the lead from the penalty spot during the opening stages of Saturday's Group G game
Hazard slots his penalty into the bottom left corner as Tunisia goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha stays rooted to the spot
MATCH FACTS
Belgium (3-4-3): Courtois 6, Alderweireld 6, Boyata 5.5, Vertonghen 6; Meunier 7.5, De Bruyne 7, Witsel 6, Carrasco 6; Mertens 6.5 (Tielemans 86) Lukaku 8 (Fellaini 59), Eden Hazard 9 (Batshuayi 67)
Goals: Hazard (6, pen 51), Lukaku (16, 45+3) , Batshuayi 90
Manager: R Martinez 7
Tunisia (4-3-3): Ben Mustapha 6; Bronn 6.5, Syam Ben Youssef 6, Meriah 5, Maaloul 5; Khaoui 6, Skhiri 6, Sassi 5.5 (Sliti 60 6.5); Fakhreddine Ben Youssef 6, Khazri 6, Badri 5
Goals: Bronn 18, Khazri 90+3
Booked: Sassi
Manager: N. Maaloul 5
Referee: Jair Marrufo (USA) 7
Match rating: 8
He wouldn't contemplate any such discussion though the permutations have reduced the appeal of finishing top, in any case. Brazil and Germany may collide in the round of 16 with the winners facing either the winners of England's group or the runners-up from Group H. Maybe it would be wise to aim to be runners-up. 'I don't think we can do that,' Martinez said.
Some of his changes may be enforced, since Romelu Lukaku - whose two goals make him the tournament's joint top scorer on four with Cristiano Ronaldo - suffered ligament damage, which makes him a doubt for England. 'He had external ligament on his left foot late in the first half. He did well to last as long as he lasted (59 minutes). We will assess him more in 48 hours,' Martinez said.
And as if the bulletin could not get brighter, Eden Hazard, who left the field shortly after Lukaku, suffered a calf problem. 'It was in the first half. Something in my calf but not something big. I think tomorrow it is going to be ok,' man-of the-match Hazard said later. The influential Dries Mertens also sustained a knock on his ankle.
If we're looking for more fundamental grounds for reassurance, then the Belgian defence which conceded twice provides some. Martinez's lack of defensive rigour is essentially what did for him at Everton two years ago and his attacking wing backs do leave space in behind.
The Tunisians' suicidally high line and relentless capacity to hand possession over to their opponents made this surely the worst we have seen at the tournament. 'This was a game that suited our style,' Martinez admitted. 'You have to give huge credit to Tunisia - the way they wanted to press high up and leave players in 1 v 1.'
Romelu Lukaku (left) doubles Belgium's lead with a cool finish after being played in by team-mate Dries Mertens
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