Belgium began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in style with a 3-0 victory over Sweden, thanks to a Romelu Lukaku hattrick in the Red Devils’ first game under new coach Domenico Tedesco.
The team had made several changes since their World Cup exit, including replacing former coach Roberto Martinez with Tedesco and saying goodbye to several big-name players who retired from international football.
The match, which took place at Stockholm’s Friends Arena, saw Sweden’s Dejan Kulusevski come close to giving his team the lead in the early stages, but his shot was cleared off the line by Wout Faes.
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Belgium took the lead 10 minutes before the end of the first half when Dodi Lukebakio’s cross from the right was met by Lukaku’s head.
Lukaku then doubled his tally with a tap-in from close range after Lukebakio again set him up with a clever pass. Despite the introduction of 41-year-old striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden struggled to create any meaningful chances, and Lukaku completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute after being set up by Johan Bakayoko.
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The win gives Belgium an early advantage in Group H, where they will face tough competition from the likes of Croatia and Scotland.
The performance will have also been encouraging for Tedesco, who will be hoping to lead the Red Devils to their first major tournament triumph since the 1980s.
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