Lukaku double as Belgium outclass Luxembourg

Romelu Lukaku extended his Belgium scoring record as they ended their preparations for the European Championship with a 3-0 win over neighbours Luxembourg in Brussels on Saturday.

Lukaku netted a 42nd-minute penalty for his 84th international goal and tapped in a second after being set up by Jeremy Doku’s jinking run down the left and square pass.

Leandro Trossard added the third 10 minutes from time.

A near full-strength Belgium made a fast start but both Kevin De Bruyne and Lukaku were denied opportunities to open the scoring by a determined Luxembourg defence.

There was also a chance for Trossard while Doku troubled the visiting defence but tenacious tackling kept them at bay until Lukaku set off on a powerful run from the halfway line and won a penalty after a challenge by Enes Mahmutovic.

Lukaku scuffed the spot-kick but found the net and there was no stopping his effort at the back post when Doku set him up for his second after 57 minutes.

Trossard netted the third in the 80th minute, running from deep on to Wout Faes’ long pass, bringing the ball under control and firing home.

It could have been more had Luxembourg’s Belgian-born goalkeeper Anthony Moris not made several important saves after skipping his brother’s wedding to play in the match.

There will be concern in the Belgian camp about the availability at Euro 2024 of full back Thomas Meunier, who had to leave the field after 18 minutes with what looked a thigh injury.

Belgium beat Montenegro 2-0 on Wednesday in their first warm-up game. Their players are getting a few days off before heading to Germany and their opening match at Euro 2024 against Slovenia in Frankfurt on June 17.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town, Editing by Ed Osmond)