Kyle Edmund
Edmund stunned by resurgent Goffin Getty

David Goffin recovered from two sets down to defeat Kyle Edmund in a pulsating five-set thriller, as Belgium took a 1-0 lead over Great Britain in the Davis Cup final.

Edmund, making his debut in the competition, shocked the crowd in Gent with a remarkable start against the world number 16, who was positively rocked by the 20-year-old's performance. Goffin recovered brilliantly, though, dropping just three games in the final three sets to seal a huge 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-0 win. Andy Murray has the chance to draw Great Britain level when he takes on Ruben Bemelmans on 27 November.

South African-born Edmund showed no fear during his thrilling start, saving two break points in the first game before breaking the Belgian in the second with a sweeping forehand. Goffin's attempts to play his way out of trouble with a succession of ground strokes got him nowhere, with Edmund hitting everything back with ease before moving 5-0 ahead with an emphatic forehand.

On the brink of whitewash, Goffin recovered and rescued a break back at 5-2 but Edmund hit back again, serving out with an ace to take the first set with a powerful served down the middle.

Edmund held to love in the second after Goffin could only find the net on his return. The 20-year-old then began to take control just as he did in the first, rocking his opponent with a flurry of aggressive forehands and forcing a double fault for break point. Edmund took it, going on to hold comfortably as his shell shocked opponent struggled to find any answer.

Goffin's lack of aggression was now more evident than ever as he carelessly fell 40-0 down in the fifth game. While he managed to save break point, he followed it up with a double fault as panic began to set in. His nightmare worsened after he fell afoul of another thumping forehand as Edmund wrapped up the second set with ease.

Goffin looked a broken man as he began the third but recovered from losing the opening game after Edmund could only find the net. An over-hit forehand from the Briton gave Goffin the chance to take the lead at breakpoint, which he gratefully took. It provided the opening the beleaguered Belgian needed as he claimed the next three consecutive games before winning set point at the second time of asking after Edmund overcooked a return.

Goffin, who has climbed 90 ranking places in the past 18 months, suddenly found the boundless energy absent in the first two sets, and swept through the fourth set, leaving Britain's number two with little answer.

Edmund, a novice compared to his Belgian opponent, was visibly wilting having long ceded control of the contest. Goffin did not drop a game as he swept over the finishing line, cracking a smile for the first time all afternoon after seeing the Briton's forehand was sent wide.