Belgium became the first national team to qualify for the 2020 European Championships and boy did the Red Devils do it in style.
Belgium routed lowly San Marino, 9-0 at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels to ensure qualification. Romelu Lukaku scored a brace and assisted on another as Belgium was able to spread the goals around.
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Seven different players scored for Belgium, plus an own goal from San Marino’s Cristian Brolli. Even Eden Hazard, who set up a pair of goals, didn’t score himself before earning an early break in the 63rd minute.
Nacer Chadli, Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke, Yari Verschaeren, and Timothy Castagne all scored along with Lukaku.
Russia thrash Scotland
In what’s becoming the norm, Scotland again succumbed to a crushing defeat. This time it was to Russia, which beat Scotland, 4-0, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The Scotland centerback pairing of Liam Palmer and Charlie Mulgrew couldn’t deal with big Russian striker Artem Dzyuba, who finished with a brace. Magomed Ozdoev and Aleksandr Golovin both scored as well to put Scotland away.
Here’s a look at the rest of Thursday’s qualifying action.
Thursday’s EURO 2020 qualifying results
Group C
Belarus 0-0 Estonia
Netherlands 3-1 Northern Ireland
Group E
Croatia 3-0 Hungary
Slovakia 1-1 Wales
Group G
Austria 3-1 Israel
Latvia 0-3 Poland
North Macedonia 2-1 Slovenia
Group I
Kazakhstan 1-2 Cyprus
Belgium 9-0 San Marino
Russia 4-0 Scotland