Lukaku’s double has Belgium on the march
AS statements go, this was as emphatic as you could get from Belgium.They are equipped to win this tournament.
They were about as focused and ruthless as it was possible to be under the circumstances.
To produce in the Saint Petersburg Stadium where Russia were passionately – and, with the racist element to the booing, ignorantly – supported was impressive.
Romelu Lukaku afterwards thanked his team-mates for helping him to a man-of-thematch performance just hours after the horrific scenes involving his Inter Milan team-mate Christian Eriksen.
Russia at home is no easy ride, as the World Cup in 2018 proved. Remember Spain?
Yet, as soon as Lukaku capitalised on a poor defensive error in the 10th minute to finish with a predator’s instinct, it was a foregone conclusion. He showed his quality again in
the closing minutes with another fine goal, but it was the one in between that had manager Roberto Martinez purring, not least because he said it showed the spirit that can take the country to a first major trophy.
Thomas Meunier, a first-half substitute after Timothy Castagne suffered a double fracture of the cheekbone that will end his tournament, swept home after Russia keeper Anton Shunin spilled a cross.
Martinez said: “Thomas Meunier is a perfect example of how we are together in this squad. He was an incredible team-mate when he learned that Timothy would start, he was exemplary in his support.
“Then the way he contributed so much to the victory was an example for us.
“They are a group who support each other and really understand their roles. They are 26 players who do what is needed for the team.”