Carrasco strike in Baku lifts Belgium top of Euro qualifying group

Belgium’s forward Jeremy Doku (L) and Azerbaijan’s defender Rahil Mammadov (R) fight for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying first round group F football match between Azerbaijan and Belgium in Baku on September 9, 2023. (Photo by TOFIK BABAYEV / AFP)

Saudi-based Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal to give Belgium a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan and lift them top of their Euro 2024 qualifying group on Saturday.

Belgium’s new manager Domenico Tedesco was missing injured duo Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne for this tricky trip to Baku.

Appointed in February as successor to Roberto Martinez Tedesco stretched his unbeaten run since taking up his first national team appointment to five matches.

Martinez stepped down after Belgium, third in the 2018 World Cup, failed to qualify for the knockout stage at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Former Schalke, Spartak Moscow, and Leipzig boss Tedesco had Carrasco’s 38th minute strike to thank for maintaining his bright start to qualifying for next year’s Euros in his home country Germany.

Carrasco pounced on a fortuitous rebound from Johan Bakayoko’s attempt to shoot past Azerbaijan keeper Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev.

Belgium captain Romelu Lukaku had gone close to helping put the visitors into a fourth minute lead only for Leandro Trossard to hit the post with his assist.

Koen Casteels, standing in for Courtois in goal, did well to produce a diving save to deny Renat Dadashov.

Casteels was then helped out by Arthur Theate who stepped in to block a powerful shot from Azerbaijani captain Emin Makhmudov.

The win pushed Belgium up to 10 points in Group F, level with Austria but topping the table thanks to goal difference.

For Carrasco, 30, this 10th goal for his country