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 hardly ever in bother in opposition to a Russian aspect that struggled to impose themselves.
Roberto Martinez’s Belgium prime Group B on three factors, forward on aim distinction of Finland who beat Denmark within the group’s different recreation in Copenhagen.
As it stands in Group A and Group B…
Standout workforce up to now? #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 targets maintain coming for Belgium sharpshooter Romelu Lukaku @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/zEB6MLbHIQ
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021
Lukaku celebrated his aim by working to the tv digicam and shouting “Chris, Chris, I love you” in tribute to Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder and his membership workforce-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 area 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 vitality of these performances was lacking, regardless of taking part in at house in entrance of greater than 26,000 followers.
Stanislav Cherchesov struggled to search out both the tempo to their assaults or a means to supply high quality service to striker Artem Dzyuba who was too usually left remoted.
It was no shock when the second aim got here, within the thirty fourth minute, when Russia keeper Anton Shunin might solely parry Thorgan Hazard’s shot in the direction of Thomas Meunier, who made no mistake.
Russia utilized some strain 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 nicely-taken effort after racing on to a by ball from Meunier.
Lukaku mentioned the Eriksen state of affairs 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 workforce had taken the knee earlier than the kick-off however the anti-racist gesture was met with jeers and whistles from the gang.
