Euro 2024: Lukaku’s Record-Breaking Four Goals, Szoboszlai Leads Hungary to Victory
Belgium witnessed a remarkable performance by Romelu Lukaku, as he scored an impressive four goals in their commanding 5-0 triumph against Azerbaijan during the Euro 2024 qualifying match. The match unfolded at the King Baudouin Stadium, where Lukaku’s outstanding display reaffirmed his position as one of the premier forwards globally.
Lukaku wasted no opportunity to leave his mark, swiftly netting four times before the first half concluded. His initial goal was a result of a precisely executed pass from Jeremy Doku, who has been consistently performing exceptionally for Manchester City as of late. Not long after, Eddy Israfilov from Azerbaijan was given a red card, resulting in their team having fewer players on the field.
Unfazed by the disadvantage faced by their rivals, Lukaku persisted in causing chaos. He successfully turned a pass from Timothy Castagne into his second goal of the night. Demonstrating his skill in the air, Lukaku used his head to score another goal from a cross by Wout Faes, thereby increasing Belgium’s advantage. Orel Mangala played a part in Lukaku’s fourth goal, completing an exceptional individual display. Lukaku’s remarkable performance against Azerbaijan resulted in him accumulating an impressive total of 14 goals during the qualifying campaign. This surpasses the goal count of Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, who has scored 10 goals, and Kylian Mbappe from France, who has successfully netted nine times. Additionally, Lukaku’s achievement establishes a new record for the highest number of goals scored in a European Championship qualifying campaign, surpassing the previous record of 13 goals jointly held by David Healy from Northern Ireland and Robert Lewandowski from Poland and Barcelona.
As a consequence of Belgium’s triumph, they have secured the leading position in Group F, surpassing Austria, who have already guaranteed their place in the tournament. In a different game within the group, Sweden, who have already been eliminated, emerged victorious over Estonia with a 2-0 score.
Meanwhile, in Group G, Serbia and Bulgaria engaged in an exciting draw of 2-2 during their home match. In the other game of the group, Dominik Szoboszlai, the skilled midfielder from Liverpool, swiftly netted two goals within a span of two minutes, leading his country, Hungary, to a triumphant 3-1 win against Montenegro. Hungary concludes as the group champions with 18 points, while Serbia secures the second position with 14 points. Lukaku’s remarkable display has undeniably made a lasting impact on the world of football. As Belgium proceeds with their Euro 2024 qualification journey, Lukaku’s ability to score goals will play a vital role in their quest for triumph at the global level.