Lukaku Rescues West Brom From Defeat Against Czech 

Romelu Lukaku's second-half equaliser handed Belgium a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier in Prague on Saturday.

The point keeps the hosts top of group E, ahead of their opponents on goal difference.

Inter Milan striker Lukaku scored on the hour mark after fooling defender Ondrej Celustka with a mazy run, beating goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik to take his record Belgium tally to 59 goals from 91 appearances, including 19 goals in his last 16 games.

Slavia Prague midfielder Lukas Provod put the home side ahead on 50 minutes with a low right-footed shot from outside the box that slid into the bottom corner of Thibaut Courtois's goal.

Both teams were without several Germany-based players including Belgium's Borussia Dortmund midfielders Thomas Meunier and Thorgan Hazard, and Czech captain Vladimir Darida of Hertha Berlin.

They missed the game over concerns they may have to go into quarantine after returning from the Czech Republic – deemed a high-risk country by Germany.

"We were a little bit too wasteful, everything we did on the ball was a little bit of a cagey aspect," said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez after the game.

"I don't think we were our normal selves and then obviously we faced a team that has got a lot of momentum.

"We had to show a different side of our play, I don't think we've been on our normal level on the ball."

Belgium, the world No 1-ranked side, started well but Lukaku fired over the crossbar and Dries Mertens saw his low shot parried away by Vaclik.

The hosts came close on 16 minutes when striker Michael Krmencik sprinted into the box and struck Courtois's post with a low effort.

Belgium kept pushing, but they failed to beat Vaclik who did well to save Leander Dendoncker's blast before stopping Timothy Castagne's header from close range. (AFP)