UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Belgium beat Poland 1-0 courtesy of Michy Batshuayi’s winning goal, Watch Belgium beat Poland HIGHLIGHTS

Martinez’s team trail the Netherlands by three points with two group-stage contests remaining, meaning the two rivals could be set for a straight shoot-out for qualification when they meet in September.

Sebastian Szymanski sent a wild volley over from a good position after half an hour, before Eden Hazard was flagged offside having beaten Szczesny with a deft chip after racing onto Batshuayi’s pass.

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Belgium beat Poland 1-0 courtesy of Michy Batshuayi’s winning goal, Watch Belgium beat Poland HIGHLIGHTS, WARSAW, POLAND – JUNE 14 : Wieteska Mateusz defender of Poland & Hazard Eden midfielder of Belgium during the UEFA Nations League Group A4 match between Poland and Belgium at the PGE Narodowy stadium on June 14, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland, 14/06/2022 ( Photo by Peter De Voecht / Photo News via Getty Images)

Although Belgium dominated much of the opening period, Zalewski went agonisingly close to levelling shortly before the break when he volleyed Robert Lewandowski’s right-wing cross narrowly wide.

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Michy Batshuayi scores the winning goal

Thorgan Hazard almost doubled Belgium’s lead when he sent a low strike wide of the left-hand post after 52 minutes, before Jan Vertonghen saw a driven cross deflected just wide of the bottom-left corner.

Swiderski twice went close to a dramatic equaliser when he forced Simon Mignolet into an acrobatic save before clipping the post with a deft header, but Belgium held on for their second Nations League win of the campaign.

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Belgium beat Poland 1-0 courtesy of Michy Batshuayi’s winning goal, Watch Belgium beat Poland HIGHLIGHTS, Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi celebrates after scoring during a soccer game between Poland and Belgian national team the Red Devils, Tuesday 14 June 2022 in Warsaw, Poland, the fourth game (out of six) in the Nations League A group stage. BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY (Photo by BRUNO FAHY / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

What does it mean? Belgium keep Netherlands in their sights

Having been thrashed 4-1 by the Netherlands during their Nations League opener earlier this month and dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Wales last week, Martinez’s men needed a victory to stay in touch with their neighbours at the top of Group A4.

Having prevented Poland from mustering a shot on target until the 87th minute, Belgium deserved a victory which keeps them in with a chance of overhauling Louis van Gaal’s men to qualify for next year’s finals.

Brilliant Batshuayi maintains hot streak

While Batshuayi – who has been sent out on loan five times since joining Chelsea in 2016 – has struggled for consistency at club level, the Nations League is quickly becoming his favourite competition.

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Belgium beat Poland 1-0 courtesy of Michy Batshuayi’s winning goal, Watch Belgium beat Poland HIGHLIGHTS, WARSAW, POLAND – JUNE 14 : Castagne Timothy defender of Belgium , Lewandowski Robert forward of Poland & Dendoncker Leander midfielder of Belgium during the UEFA Nations League Group A4 match between Poland and Belgium at the PGE Narodowy stadium on June 14, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland, 14/06/2022 ( Photo by Peter De Voecht / Photo News via Getty Images)

Batshuayi has now contributed to eight goals in the Nations League overall, a tally only bettered by Lukaku (11), and has registered two goals and two assists in his four appearances in the 2022-23 edition.

What’s next?

Belgium’s next outing is a home Nations League clash with Wales on September 22, while Poland host the Netherlands on the same day.