Agency :
Belgium secured the first spot in Group B after Romelu Lukaku provided a brace in Belgium’s 3-0 victory over uninspired Russia at their opening game in Saint Petersburg on Saturday.
The “Red Devils” ensured a perfect start into their Euro 2020 campaign after a double strike from Lukaku and a goal from substitute Thomas Meunier eased past Russia 3-0 on home soil.
Belgium, who lead the FIFA World Rankings, took the reins from the starting whistle without forcing things while Russia tried to hold the pace in the opening stages.
It took Belgium only ten minutes to open the scoring with great assistance of Russia’s Andrei Semyonov, who cleared Dries Merten’s square pass, into the path of Lukaku who showed no mercy and beat Anton Shunin from inside the box.
Russia responded well and showed intent to hit back but for all that Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois defused two headers on target from Mario Fernandes in the 14th minute.
