Romelu Lukaku hat-trick overshadows Ibrahimovic's international return

25.03.2023 - 08:29 thenationalnews.com

Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick as Belgium claimed a 3-0 win over Sweden, overshadowing Zlatan Ibrahimovic's much-anticipated return to international football in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday.

Knocked out of the Qatar World Cup in the group stage, Belgium saw Domenico Tedesco replace Roberto Martinez as coach. He could not have asked for a better debut as Inter Milan forward Lukaku scored all the goals away in Sweden in Group F.

Lukaku headed in the opener on 35 minutes and then netted with a tap-in, in off Victor Lindeloef, after being set up by Dodi Lukebakio early in the second half.

The 41-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench for Sweden before Lukaku made it 3-0 with another easy finish. "To take three points and score three goals in Sweden is never easy for any team," Tedesco told Belgium's RTBF.

Football ibrahimovic Romelu Lukaku Domenico Tedesco Inter Milan Sweden Qatar Belgium Italy Gibraltar Greece county Lee

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