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Belgium’s forward Romelu Lukaku (L) celebrates with Belgium’s defender Thomas Meunier after socring his team’s first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group B football match between Belgium and Russia at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 12, 2021. (Photo by AFP)
Belgium have started the Euro 2020 strongly, as they hammered Group B rivals, Russia, 3-nil at the Gazprom Stadium in Saint Petersburg.
Russia’s feeble defense gave Inter Milan striker, Romelu Lukaku, the chance to put the Red Devils in front inside 10 minutes, with a precise shot from close range.
Thomas Meunier tapped the ball home from a rebound to double the lead for Belgium before the break.
And then, Lukaku completed his brace with 2 minutes remaining, after finishing off a lovely through ball down the middle. Roberto Martinez’s side will go on to meet Denmark on the 17th of June in Copenhagen.
Meanwhile, in the other Group B encounter, Finland won their first game at a major final, as they edged out a 1-nil victory against Denmark, but it was overshadowed by Danish midfielder, Christian Eriksen, collapsing on the pitch. Eriksen collapsed after 41 minutes of play, and received CPR on the pitch, with the match being halted for 2 hours. Then, after the resumption, Joel Pohjanpalo scored the winner for Finland, with a diving header on the hour mark. Finland will next line up against Russia on the 16th of June in Saint Petersburg.