Lukaku’s four-goal haul lifts Belgium to big win over Azerbaijan

BRUSSELS (Agencies): Striker Romelo Lukaku scored four goals in 20 first-half minutes as brilliant Belgium cruised to an emphatic 5-0 victory over 10-man Azerbaijan in a Euro 2024 Group F qualifier in blustery Brussels on Sunday. Lukaku put on a magnificent display of clinical finishing as he took his tally in the pool to 14 in eight games as already qualified Belgium earned top spot in the group. Azerbaijan finished in fourth with seven points from their eight games. The home side were 4-0 up inside 37 minutes as they profited from an early red card for Azerbaijan’s Eddy Israfilov who was sent off for a second booking after a wild lunge on Lukaku. Leandro Trossard scored a late fifth goal, but Belgium’s effort was spearheaded by their captain Lukaku, who took his tally of international goals to 83 in 113 appearances before he was substituted at halftime. The victory extends Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco’s unbeaten run at the start of his reign to 10 games, winning eight of those.

After a poor World Cup in Qatar, the confidence has returned for the team despite the absence of several regulars, not least the injured Kevin De Bruyne. Azerbaijan could not cope with their passing and movement, and the power of Lukaku up front, who bullied the visitors’ backline and provided four clinical finishes. The night got off to a bizarre start when the Swedish national anthem was played instead that of Azerbaijan, to bemused looks from the visitors and no shortage of embarrassment from home officials. It took until the 17th minute to open the scoring as Jeremy Doku was left unmarked on the edge of the box and his cross was easily headed into the net by Lukaku. Azerbaijan’s evening got worse seven minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men as Israfilov received a second yellow card. Both his bookings came in the space of four mad minutes.

Lukaku had the ball in the back of the net again shortly afterwards, a fine finish into the bottom corner after he was picked out by Timothy Castagne’s header. He completed his hat-trick 13 minutes after scoring his first as he headed in Wout Faes’s cross, before adding a fourth after he was fed by Orel Mangala in the box and easily beat the goalkeeper. His 14 goals is the most ever scored in the qualifiers for a single Euros campaign. Not surprisingly the sting went out of the game in the second half but Trossard scored a late fifth from close range to cap a lively display from the Arsenal forward.

Portugal beat Iceland to complete perfect Euro 2024 qualifying campaign: In Lisbon, Portugal beat Iceland 2-0 at home on Sunday to finish their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a perfect record of 10 straight wins in Group J. Portugal finished with 30 points, eight points ahead of Slovakia, who also qualified for next year’s finals in Germany. Bruno Fernandes scored the first goal of the night for the hosts eight minutes before the break, with a well-placed low shot from the edge of the box. Portugal doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Ricardo Horta slotted home a loose ball after Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial effort was stopped. Iceland finished fourth in the table with 10 points.

Scotland in party mood despite draw with Norway: In Glasgow, Scotland finished their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with a frenetic 3-3 home draw against Norway but despite being denied by a late equaliser it was a joyous night at Hampden on Sunday. With qualification already assured for next year’s European Championship in Germany, Scotland twice came from a goal down and Stuart Armstrong’s effort on the hour looked as though it would earn a sixth victory from eight Group A games. But Mohamed Elyounoussi’s header in the 86th minute secured third-placed Norway a point. The result meant Scotland finished the group in second place with 17 points, four points behind group winners Spain. There was a party mood before kickoff but Norway, without injured striker Erling Haaland, were not just there to make up the numbers. The Scandinavians went ahead after three minutes when Aron Donnum struck a shot that went in off the post. John McGinn equalised from the penalty spot after 13 minutes following a handball but the Norwegians were ahead again shortly afterwards when Strand Larsen poked an effort over the line. Scotland were level at the break though after Leo Ostigard inadvertently turned a Scott McTominay corner into his own goal. Chances continued to be created at both ends after the break with a draw just about the right result, meaning Scotland’s only loss in the group was away to Spain.