Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick and Adnan Januzaj made
his long-awaited international debut in Belgium's 5-1 friendly win over
Luxembourg.
Chelsea striker Lukaku will play a key role at the
upcoming FIFA World Cup for coach Marc Wilmots after fellow forward Christian
Benteke was ruled out with a serious Achilles injury.
And he warmed up for the Brazil showpiece in style, as
his well-taken treble highlighted Monday's win in Genk.
Januzaj's appearance was also noteworthy, with the
Manchester United youngster – the subject of lengthy debate about his
international future – eventually settling the matter after coming off the
bench at half-time.
Another substitute, Tottenham's Nacer Chadli, scored the
fourth before Kevin De Bruyne netted a late penalty as Belgium, eventually, won
well.
This was by no means a vintage performance, though, and
Wilmots will demand more from his side in further pre-World Cup friendlies
against Sweden and Tunisia.
Belgium open their World Cup campaign against Algeria on
June 17.
Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet sustained a minor injury in
training on Saturday and Atletico Madrid's Thibaut Courtois was rested after
featuring in the weekend's UEFA Champions League final.
With Hoffenheim's Koen Casteels also injured, 28-year-old
shot-stopper Sammy Bossut – who plays his club football for Zulte-Waregem – made
his international debut.
Lukaku gave Belgium the lead in just the third minute
after Marouane Fellaini dispossessed Lars Gerson and played in the striker, who
shot around advancing Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris and in.
Aurelien Joachim scored a stunning equaliser for
Luxembourg just 10 minutes later, though, beating Bossut with an outstanding
30-yard strike.
Joachim held off the attentions of Thomas Vermaelen to
take down a long ball, before lashing in with his left foot, and the same
player caught Vincent Kompany napping in the 17th minute, only for Bossut to
deny him with an impressive save.
Fellaini headed a corner over before Lukaku got his
second with 23 minutes gone, as he pounced after Maxime Chanot's attempted
clearance fell into his path, and scored, via a ricochet off Moris.
Lukaku lifted over Moris – but wide – and his search for
a treble went on as the goalkeeper saved superbly to his right three minutes
before the break.
Januzaj was one of Wilmots' five half-time changes and
saw Lukaku become the first player to score a hat-trick for Belgium since Bob
Peeters achieved the feat in 2001.
Lukaku gathered the ball outside the penalty area,
cutting inside Tom Schnell and then beating Chris Philipps before netting a
composed left-foot finish.
Mario Mutsch had a diving header saved at the other end
before Chadli grabbed his third international goal 19 minutes from time with a
driven effort from just inside the penalty area.
And there was still time for De Bruyne to make his mark,
converting from the spot after another debutant Divick Origi was felled in the
area.
Culled from Soccerway
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