Romelu Lukaku led Belgium to a 3-0 victory away at Sweden on a night Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to feature in a European qualifying match.
A hat-trick from the Inter Milan striker secured the win for new manager Domenico Tedesco, after Roberto Martinez left his position following Belgium’s group stage exit at the World Cup.
Ad Sweden came close to scoring first when Dejan Kulusevski’s shot was cleared off the line by Wout Faes. World CupMartinez poised to replace Santos as Portugal boss — report07/01/2023 AT 14:02 Then, Arthur Theate’s header was brilliantly denied by Robin Olsen at the other end, before a stunning cross from Dodi Lukebakio was flicked into the back of the net by Lukaku in the 35th minute.
Samuel Gustafsson nearly equalised three minutes later with a half-volley, only for Thibaut Courtois to parry it away and Emil Forsberg’s dangerous cross wasn’t met.