Sweden 0-3 Belgium: Lukaku scores hat-trick to give Tedesco perfect start

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a much-anticipated return to international football but it was Romelu Lukaku who scored a hat-trick as Belgium secured a 3-0 win over Sweden in their opening Group F European Championship qualifier on Friday.

Match Report

Lukaku broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, out-jumping Hjalmar Ekdal to head home a cross from the left from Dodi Lukebakio, who had tormented the Swedish defence from the kickoff.

The Belgian striker took advantage of more slack Swedish marking to double his side's advantage early in the second half as Lukebakio picked him out again with a low cross which he turned in from close range.

The introduction of the 41-year-old Ibrahimovic in the 73rd minute after a long absence due to injury prompted an ear-splitting roar from the crowd, but it made little difference as Lukaku slotted home his third in the 83rd minute to ensure the win in new coach Domenico Tedesco's first game in charge.

Line-ups

Sweden XI: Forsberg, R. Olsen, Lindelof, Augustinsson, Kristoffer Olsson, Linus Wahlqvist, Gustafson, Svanberg, Isak, Kulusevski, Hjalmar Ekdal

Subs: Ibrahimovic, K. Nordfeldt, V. Claesson, Quaison, Jesper Karlström, Carl Starfelt, Viktor Johansson, Viktor Gyökeres, Jesper Karlsson, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anthony Elanga, Edvin Kurtulus

Belgium XI: Vertonghen, Courtois, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Trossard, Carrasco, Castagne, Wout Faes, Dodi Lukébakio, Amadou Onana, Arthur Theate

Subs: Casteels, Sels, Meunier, Praet, Mangala, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Openda, Alexis Saelemaekers, De Ketelaere, Johan Bakayoko, Zeno Debast, Roméo Lavia