Soccer-Belgium beat Russia in comfortable start to Euro 2020

It was no surprise when the second goal came, in the 34th minute, when Russia keeper Anton Shunin could only parry Thorgan Hazard's shot towards Thomas Meunier, who made no mistake. Russia applied some pressure after the interval but struggled to create openings, and the game already felt beyond them before Lukaku wrapped up the win with a well-taken effort after racing on to a through ball from Meunier.


Reuters | Updated: 13-06-2021 04:23 IST | Created: 13-06-2021 02:39 IST
Soccer-Belgium beat Russia in comfortable start to Euro 2020
Despite being without key performer Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium was rarely in trouble against a Russian side that struggled to impose themselves. Image Credit: Flickr

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium confirmed their status as one of the favourites for Euro 2020 with a confident 3-0 victory over Russia on Saturday.

Despite being without key performer Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium was rarely in trouble against a Russian side that struggled to impose themselves. Roberto Martinez's Belgium top Group B on three points, along with Finland who beat Denmark in the group's other game in Copenhagen.

The visitor's grabbed the lead in the tenth minute when Andrei Semyonov failed to deal with a ball into the box from Leander Dendoncker, and Lukaku turned and fired into the bottom corner. Lukaku celebrated his goal by running to the television camera and shouting "Chris, Chris, I love you" in tribute to Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder and his club team-mate at Inter Milan, who had been rushed to hospital after collapsing during the earlier game in the group.

Belgium was calm in possession and finding plenty of time and space against a Russian side who struggled to get a firm grip on the game. It was no surprise when the second goal came, in the 34th minute, when Russia keeper Anton Shunin could only parry Thorgan Hazard's shot towards Thomas Meunier, who made no mistake.

Russia applied some pressure after the interval but struggled to create openings, and the game already felt beyond them before Lukaku wrapped up the win with a well-taken effort after racing on to a through ball from Meunier. 

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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