Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a much-anticipated return to worldwide soccer but it surely was Romelu Lukaku who scored a hat trick as Belgium secured a 3-0 win over Sweden of their opening Group F European Championship qualifier on Friday.
The win on the Buddies Enviornment gave new Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco the right begin as his aspect search to bounce again kind a disappointing group-stage exit on the Qatar World Cup however Janne Andersson’s Sweden posed little menace.
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Dejan Kulusevski thought he had given the house aspect the lead within the fifteenth minute as he minimize in from the best and drove a low shot by way of the legs of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois however Wout Faes was readily available to cease the ball crossing the road.
Lukaku broke the impasse within the thirty fifth, outjumping Hjalmar Ekdal to move residence a cross from the left by Dodi Lukebakio, who had tormented the Sweden defence from the kickoff.
The Belgium striker then took benefit of extra slack marking to double his aspect’s benefit early within the second half as Lukebakio picked him out once more with a low cross which he turned in from shut vary.
The introduction of 41-year-old Ibrahimovic within the 73rd minute after an extended absence resulting from damage prompted an ear-splitting roar from the group.
Ibra’s first contact of observe got here seven minutes later as he chested the ball down within the field however he misplaced his footing on the notoriously poor pitch at Sweden’s nationwide enviornment and the possibility was snuffed out.
Three minutes later Lukaku killed the sport off as the house defence suffered one other collective collapse, leaving him with one other tap-in to finish his treble and a simple win for the guests.