Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne is the best midfielder in the world according to his Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.
De Bruyne masterminded Belgium’s 4-0 demolition of Scotland, setting up three goals and scoring the fourth on Monday night.
The win in Glasgow left the Red Devils well in control of Group I, leading the pool from Russia who are three points off the pace.
But the evening was all about De Bruyne’s ability to slice up opposition with his passing.
The City ace took just nine minutes to open up the Scots for Romelu Lukaku to score his 49th international goal.
After 32 minutes, De Bruyne had delivered laser-accurate balls from set pieces for defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Toby Alderweireld to make it 3-0 to bury the Scots, before placing the the cherry on the cake eight minutes from time when he scored a goal of his own.
PRAISE: Belgium boss Roberto Martinez. Photo: Robert Perry/EPA.
This time Lukaku returned the favour from earlier in the game, playing in De Bruyne to curl in from the top-left corner of the area with a first-time shot.
Even more impressive is De Bruyne’s form in the Premier League this term, laying on five of City’s 14 goals in the opening four games.
The Belgian leads the way in terms of assists, but he is followed closely by teammate David Silva who has set up four goals.
Martinez says of De Bruyne: “He’s been very, very good for a long time now. I think he’s in the best moment of his career.
“This campaign has started with a freshness and real driven feeling of playing at his best and when he does that he’s as good as it gets.
“There’s no other midfield player that can create space, a playmaker that can execute the passes that he does.”
THREAT: Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez. Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters.
De Bruyne, though, has one goal in mind and says: “I just have to play well.
"I’m just content. I’m feeling good When your career is over, you can see what you have done afterwards.
“But right now I just want to win competitions.”
De Bruyne returns to Premier League action on Saturday when City go to Norwich.