Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium confirmed their standing as one of many favourites for Euro 2020 with a assured 3-0 victory over Russia on Saturday.
Despite being with out key performer Kevin De Bruyne, world primary ranked Belgium had been not often in bother in opposition to a Russian aspect that struggled to impose themselves.
Roberto Martinez’s Belgium high Group B on three factors, forward on objective distinction of Finland who beat Denmark within the group’s different recreation in Copenhagen.
As it stands in Group A and Group B…
Standout staff thus far? #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Bs1RF0CuVw
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021
The Red Devils are unbeaten in 10 video games in all competitions and have suffered only one defeat of their final 24 outings. They have additionally scored in every of their final 31 video games.
The customer’s grabbed the lead within the tenth minute when Andrei Semyonov did not cope with a ball into the field from Leander Dendoncker, and Lukaku turned and fired into the underside nook.
The objectives maintain coming for Belgium sharpshooter Romelu Lukaku @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/zEB6MLbHIQ
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021
Lukaku celebrated his objective by working to the tv digital camera and shouting “Chris, Chris, I love you” in tribute to Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder and his membership staff-mate at Inter Milan, who had been rushed to hospital after collapsing through the earlier recreation within the group.
Lukaku celebrating by saying “Chris, I love you” heartwarming stuff pic.twitter.com/HPEdh0k2wy
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) June 12, 2021
Belgium had been calm in possession and located loads of time and house in opposition to Russia who struggled to get a agency grip on the sport.
The Russians reached the quarter-finals within the World Cup they hosted in 2018 however the power of these performances was lacking, regardless of enjoying at residence in entrance of greater than 26,000 followers.
Stanislav Cherchesov struggled to seek out both the tempo to their assaults or a approach to supply high quality service to striker Artem Dzyuba who was too usually left remoted.
It was no shock when the second objective got here, within the thirty fourth minute, when Russia keeper Anton Shunin might solely parry Thorgan Hazard’s shot in direction of Thomas Meunier, who made no mistake.
Russia utilized some stress after the interval however the Belgians coped with out an excessive amount of panic and the sport already felt determined earlier than Lukaku wrapped up the win with a properly-taken effort after racing on to a via ball from Meunier.
Lukaku mentioned the Eriksen scenario had left him in tears earlier than the sport.
“I cried a lot because I was scared, obviously. You live strong moments together. I spent more time with him than with my family,” he mentioned.
“My thoughts are with him, his girlfriend, his two kids and his family,” he added.
“I enjoyed the game but for me, it was difficult to play because my mind was with Christian. I hope he is healthy and I dedicate this performance to him,” added the previous Manchester United striker.
Lukaku and the Belgian staff had taken the knee earlier than the kick-off however the anti-racist gesture was met with jeers and whistles from the gang.
