Belgium have defied the recent turmoil between coach Domenico Tedesco and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to claim a must-win in EURO qualifiers.
Star striker Romelu Lukaku made the decision with a brace (37th minute/40th) in the unadorned 3-0 (2-0) against outsiders Estonia. Johan Bakayoko (90th) also scored.
According to Belgian media reports, Courtois was furious that Lukaku and not him had been given the captain’s armband in place of the injured Kevin De Bruyne last weekend. A high-profile spat ensued.
Rangnick WINS with Austria
In the qualifying group, however, the Belgians are behind Austria, who, with team boss Ralf Rangnick, have taken a huge step towards participating in the European Championship.
In the 2-0 (0-0) win against Sweden, Hoffenheim professional Christoph Baumgartner (81st/89th), courted by RB Leipzig, scored twice. With ten points from four games, the Austrians are well on their way to qualifying for the continental tournament like they did in 2016 and 2021. It is already difficult for the Swedes after defeats against Belgium and in Austria.
Norway’s top striker Erling Haaland scored two goals in the 3-1 (1-0) win against Cyprus. A goal by ex-world footballer Robert Lewandowski was not enough for the Poles in the 2: 3 (2: 0) against Moldova. Poland fell back to fourth place in the group.