Romelu Lukaku’s magnificent hat-trick helped Belgium defeat Sweden 3-0 on Friday, giving new manager Domenico Tedesco the ideal start.
With Lukaku in brilliant form up front, Belgium recovered admirably from their disastrous World Cup campaign and the resignation of boss Roberto Martinez. The Inter player scored the game’s first goal with a first-half shot and added two more goals in the second half with his left foot. After a lengthy injury layoff, Ibrahimovic, 41, returned to the game in the 73rd minute to an ear-splitting roar from the crowd, becoming the second-oldest player to play in a European Championship qualifying match, but his return was overshadowed by Lukaku’s brilliance.
The game was Belgium’s first as they try to build a new team after the golden generation failed to achieve anything and the retirement of their captain Eden Hazard, as well as Roberto Martinez, who stepped down as manager and joined the Portugal team.
