Sweden 0-3 Belgium: Romelu Lukaku hat-trick gets Tedesco tenure off to flying start

romelu lukaku

In their first game since December’s World Cup exit, Belgium were comfortable 3-0 winners over Sweden in Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier.

Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick as Belgium kicked off a new era under Domenico Tedesco with a 3-0 win over Sweden on Friday in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.

The Red Devils have replaced Roberto Martinez with Tedesco after exiting the World Cup at the group stage, while a number of big names have also retired from international football.

Tedesco’s tenure got off to a flying start at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, with Lukaku’s header and close-range finish either side of half-time keeping the visitors in check.

Sweden brought on 41-year-old striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Lukaku completed his treble in the 82nd minute to complete a comfortable victory.

Dejan Kulusevski almost gave Sweden the lead when his shot was on target after Thibaut Courtois got to him, but Wout Faes cleared the area.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break when Dodi Lukebakio’s cross from the right was flicked on by Lukaku.

The on-loan Inter striker doubled his tally with a strike from a yard after Lukebakio burst into the box, ran away from his man and picked out his team-mate again.

Sweden struggled to ask any real questions of Courtois, despite Ibrahimovic’s introduction, and Lukaku sealed the win when he finished with a simple finish from Johan Bakayok.

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