Friday’s Group F European Championship qualifier saw a highly-anticipated return for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to international football. However, it was Romelu Lukaku who truly shone on the pitch, scoring an impressive hat-trick that propelled Belgium to a well-deserved 3-0 victory over Sweden at the Friends Arena. With new coach Domenico Tedesco at the helm, Belgium was keen to kick off their campaign on a strong note, and they certainly did so, outplaying their opponents at every turn. While Ibrahimovic and his teammates were unable to make much of an impact, Lukaku’s impressive display was a clear indication of the high level of talent present in the Belgian squad.
In the recent match between Sweden and Belgium, Dejan Kulusevski almost gave the home team the lead with a powerful low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. However, Wout Faes made an impressive save to prevent the ball from crossing the line. It was a tense moment for both teams, but it was ultimately Belgium who broke the deadlock with a goal from Romelu Lukaku. The striker rose above Hjalmar Ekdal to head home a cross from Dodi Lukebakio, who had been causing problems for Sweden’s defence all game. The goal was a well-deserved reward for Belgium’s persistence and Lukaku’s impressive aerial ability.
As the UEFA European Championship Qualifier gained momentum, no one could have predicted the deafening roar that echoed through the stadium at the introduction of Ibrahimovic in the 73rd minute. Having been sidelined due to injury for so long, the AC Milan striker made history as the second-oldest player to feature in such a game. However, the excitement didn’t stop there. The Belgium striker also had his fair share of the spotlight, taking advantage of slack marking to double his side’s lead early in the second half. With a low cross from Lukebakio, he turned the ball in from close range, leaving the crowd gasping for breath. It was a physical and mentally challenging game, but one that will be remembered for years to come.
In a football match that saw both Zlatan Ibrahimović and Romelu Lukaku on the score sheet, it was an eventful evening at Sweden’s national arena. Despite showing flashes of his characteristic brilliance, Ibrahimović’s first touch of note came seven minutes after Lukaku had already scored his first goal. It was a moment that had fans on the edge of their seats, but unfortunately for the home team, Ibrahimović lost his footing on the notoriously poor pitch, and the opportunity was gone. Minutes later, Lukaku capitalized on yet another defensive lapse, netting his hat-trick and securing an easy win for the visitors. Despite the result, fans of both teams could agree that it was an exciting match filled with thrilling moments.
