Belgium has become the first team to qualify for the Euro 2020 tournament after defeating a Marino 9-0. Romelu Lukaku stole the show as he scored a brace to become the first player to reach 50 international goals for the world’s top-ranked nation.
Lukaku reached the milestone when he scored Belgium’s opener, Nacer Chadli and a Cristian Brolli own goal made it 3-0 before Lukaku added a second to his name on the night; Toby Alderweireld and Youri Tielemans putting Belgium 6-0 up at half-time. Substitutes Christian Benteke and Yari Verschaeren were on target after the break before Timothy Castagne scored late on to complete the rout.
Croatia has also solidified their place at the top of Group E with a home 3-0 win over Hungary, who are now four points off the top in third. Luka Modric opened the scoring before Bruno Petkovic’s double put Croatia in control.
Austria defender Martin Hinteregger scored a goal that any striker would have been proud of to set up a 3-1 win over Israel in Euro 2020 qualifying on Thursday.
The Austrians moved above Slovenia, who were surprised 2-1 away to North Macedonia with an Elif Elmas brace, into the top two of Group G.
Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick to give leaders Poland a comfortable 3-0 win away to basement side Latvia.
The top two in the six-team group qualify for Euro 2020.
