A year ago
Romelu Lukaku scored a full go-around as Belgium started off another time under Domenico Tedesco with a 3-0 win over Sweden on Friday in their initial Euro 2024 qualifier. The Red Villains supplanted Roberto Martinez with Tedesco subsequent to leaving the World Cup at the gathering stage, while various large names likewise resigned from global football.
Tedesco's residency got off to a flying beginning at Companions Field in Stockholm, where Lukaku's header and a short proximity finish either side of half-time had the guests in charge. Sweden welcomed on 41-year-old striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic yet Lukaku finished his high pitch in the 82nd moment to adjust an agreeable triumph.
Dejan Kulusevski nearly offered Sweden the lead whenever his chance streamed towards objective after Thibaut Courtois got a hand to it, just for Wout Faes to clean up the line. It was the guests who opened the scoring 10 minutes before the span when Dodi Lukebakio's right-sided cross was looked in by the head of Lukaku.
Yet again the on-credit Entomb striker multiplied his count with a tap-in from a yard out after Lukebakio burst into the crate, moved away from his man and chose his partner. Sweden attempted to pose any genuine inquiries of Courtois, regardless of the presentation of Ibrahimovic, and Lukaku verified the success when given a straightforward wrap up by Johan Bakayoko.
Belgium's initial Qatar 2022 exit was their most recent frustration at a significant competition yet their passing record for the European Titles and World Cup is impressive. The Red Fiends have now won their beyond 15 Euro qualifiers, while they are unbeaten in their beyond 33 qualifiers generally since a 1-0 misfortune to Grains in June 2015.
Harder tests lie on pause for Tedesco's side, who join Austria - 4-1 victors against Azerbaijan - on three focuses in Gathering F after Friday's apparatuses, with Estonia yet to play their opener. Any semblance of Axel Witsel, Toby Alderweireld and Eden Danger might have stopped Belgium obligation yet the right half of 30, Lukaku isn't finished at this point and obviously implies business.
While he may just have scored multiple times in 19 games in a baffling effort at club level, he scored multiple times here to take his count to 71 objectives in 105 covers for Belgium. It says everything regarding Ibrahimovic's life span that he addressed Sweden at the 2002 World Cup and could have an impact for them at Euro 2024 should his nation qualify. For all the going after nature of Kulusevski, Alexander Isak and the returning Ibrahimovic, Sweden just oversaw two endeavors on track in the last part while pursuing an objective.
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