Belgium secured top spot in Group B after Dries Mertens made up for a howling first-half miss to score and set up another in their 3-1 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Israel on Tuesday.
The win means Belgium are also set to rise to number one in FIFA's volatile ranking system, while Israel's hopes of reaching the tournament in France next year were ended.
Belgium had already qualified after a 4-1 victory over Andorra on Saturday and Tuesday's win kept them two points clear of Wales in the standings.
Belgium had the lion's share of possession throughout the match and would have been ahead at halftime but for a spectacular miss from Mertens. Faced with an open goal some two metres out, he somehow shot wide.
In the 64th minute, however, he made amends, taking a pass from Kevin De Bruyne and shifting right to bypass the defence and drive low past Israel keeper Ofir Marciano.
De Bruyne's dipping and bouncing free kick was also too much for Marciano in the 78th minute and Mertens was on hand again six minutes later to find an unmarked Eden Hazard in front of goal, for an easy finish.
Israel came close midway through the first half when Eran Zahavi curled a free kick against the post. Tomer Hemed's headed goal for Israel in the 88th minute was simply a consolation.
'I am super pleased. Yes! No. 1 in the world,' said Mertens on Belgium's unlikely run from 71st place in 2007 to sweeping past Germany and Argentina over the past weekend to top place.
Israel knew what opposition it faced and fell back in defense even if it needed victory for a shot at advancing to the playoffs.
Before a raucous crowd of 42,000 at the King Baudouin stadium, it fell to Mertens to break the deadlock. As so often, Belgium then pushed through in the final stages of the match.
'Whatever happens, we get through it,' added defender Vincent Kompany.
The defeat ended Israel's slim hopes of claiming a play-off spot.
Bosnia finished above Israel after two goals from midfielder Haris Medunjanin and a towering header from substitute Milan Djuric were enough to secure a 3-2 victory in Cyprus.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football
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