Belgium on Cloud 9
Martinez’s men blank San Marino 9-0 to book Euro place, Dutch fight back to down N. Ireland
Paris, Oct. 11: Belgium became the first team to qualify for the 2020 European Championship finals as Romelu Lukaku scored twice in a 90 thrashing of San Marino in Brussels on Thursday, while the Netherlands needed a late comeback to beat Northern Ireland.
Lukaku took his record Belgium international tally past 50 goals as Roberto Martinez’s Group I leaders opened up an unassailable 11-point lead over third-placed Cyprus with three games remaining.
The world-number-one ranked side booked their spot at next year’s tournament, which will be played at 12 venues across Europe, after seven straight qualifying wins.
Russia appear set to take the second automatic slot from the group, after a 4-0 win over Scotland moved them eight points ahead of Cyprus.
Belgium will be one of the favourites as they look to lift a first major international title when the Euros get underway on June 12.
“In my eyes, nine countries have the talent to win the Euro,” said coach Martinez. “What will make the difference is how you face adversity. It’s necessary to sacrifice yourself for your teammates.”
Their victory at the King Badouin Stadium matched their record winning margin of nine goals, having previously beaten Zambia and Gibraltar 9-0 in 1994 and 2017 respectively and hammered San Marino 10-1 in 2001.
Memphis Depay’s late brace rescued the Netherlands a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland which sent Ronald Koeman’s men top of Group C. The Oranje, bidding to reach a first major finals since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup, are level on points with both Germany and Northern Ireland, who have played a game more, but lead on head-to-head record.
Croatia took control of Group E by beating Hungary 3-0 in Split, while Slovakia jumped into second despite being held to a 1-1 home draw by Wales.
Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick, taking his tally this season to 18 goals for club and country, as
Poland won 3-0 at Latvia to strengthen their position at the top of Group G.
They sit three points clear of closest challengers Austria, who saw off
Israel 3-1.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring against San Marino in their Euro 2020 qualifier Group I game in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday. — AFP