Belgium (National Football)

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Men's National Football

Romelu Lukaku Double Puts Belgium Past Scotland in 2020 Euro Qualifier

Jun 11, 2019
Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualification football match between Belgium and Scotland at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on June 11, 2019. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)
Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualification football match between Belgium and Scotland at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on June 11, 2019. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Belgium maintained their perfect record in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying as they beat Scotland 3-0 in Group I on Tuesday at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. 

Two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a brilliant late strike from Kevin De Bruyne secured the fourth win from four matches in the campaign for the world's No. 1-ranked side. The Red Devils maintained their spot at the top of the pool.

Scotland, meanwhile, remain in fourth behind Kazakhstan and Russia, and they will rue some missed chances after a decent performance. 

Scotland were the first side to threaten the goal on Tuesday when Oliver Burke dragged an effort just wide in the ninth minute.

Had it been more accurate, it could well have changed the course of the night.

As it was, Belgium slowly built into the game and started to dominate, with De Bruyne, Axel Witsel and Eden Hazard all fashioning efforts in the first half.

BRUSSEL, BELGIUM - JUNE 11: David Marshall of Scotland during the EURO Qualifier match between Belgium v Scotland at the Koning Boudewijn Stadium on June 11, 2019 in Brussel Belgium (Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images)
BRUSSEL, BELGIUM - JUNE 11: David Marshall of Scotland during the EURO Qualifier match between Belgium v Scotland at the Koning Boudewijn Stadium on June 11, 2019 in Brussel Belgium (Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images)

Scotland were indebted to goalkeeper David Marshall for some fine saves and looked to be heading for half-time with honours even.

However, Lukaku, who had not been at his best, popped up in first-half stoppage time to head home Hazard's cross from six yards.

It was a killer blow for the Scots, who only continued to sit deep and defend when they came out for the second half.

Belgium continued to besiege the opposition goal, and De Bruyne forced another save from Marshall before Lukaku got his second just before the hour.

Marshall could only push another effort from De Bruyne back into the box, and the Manchester United forward was on hand to poke home yet another goal for the Red Devils:

That effectively sealed the victory for the hosts.

Scotland finally forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois 11 minutes from time when Ryan Fraser curled a shot on target from 16 yards.

Fraser, Scott McKenna and James Forrest then made a hash of a great break, failing to show anything like the level of clinical finishing needed to challenge a side of Belgium's quality.

And De Bruyne eventually added sheen to the result with a brilliant side-footed finish into the corner from 20 yards in stoppage time. 

            

What's Next?

Belgium and Scotland are both back in Euro 2020 qualifying action on September 6 when they face San Marino and Russia, respectively. 

Romelu Lukaku Scores, Belgium Cruise Past Kazakhstan in Euro 2020 Qualifier

Jun 8, 2019

Belgium continued their perfect start to Euro 2020 qualifying on Saturday, beating Kazakhstan 3-0 to make it three wins out of three tries. Dries Mertens, Timothy Castagne and Romelu Lukaku got the goals.

The hosts were up by two goals inside of 15 minutes, as Mertens and Castagne punished some poor defending. Lukaku got his goal early in the second half.

The Red Devils are the clear favourites in Group I, which also includes Russia, Scotland, San Marino and Cyprus.

Before kick-off, new Real Madrid star Eden Hazard celebrated a special milestone, as he got his 100th cap:

The Red Devils were determined to honour the occasion and came out firing, with Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne testing goalkeeper Dmytro Nepogodov early. The Group I favourites ran all over the visitors, and the opening goal arrived after just 11 minutes.

Hazard found Mertens in a dangerous position inside the box, and his effort took a slight deflection before beating the goalkeeper.

The Napoli man has been in superb form of late:

He turned provider just three minutes later, picking out Castagne with a great cross to hand the Atalanta man his first international goal.

With two goals under their belt, the Belgians decided to take their foot off the gas. Lukaku had two great looks on goal to add to the tally, but goalkeeper Nepogodov stood his ground. De Bruyne also went close, but his angled shot just missed the target.

The half-time break allowed the Red Devils to recharge their batteries, however, and just five minutes into the second half, they struck again.

This time it was Lukaku, who added to his impressive collection for the national team:

Nepogodov produced an outstanding save to deny Thorgan Hazard, and Lukaku went for personal glory, rather than hand Castagne what would have been a certain goal. It didn't matter much, however, as the host cruised to the finish line, and the home fans created a festive atmosphere.

Hazard almost crowned his 100th cap with a goal of his own, but Nepogodov would not yield for a fourth time.

   

What's Next?

Belgium will host Scotland on Tuesday, while Kazakhstan host San Marino.

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