By Daily Sports on September 7, 2016
Romelu Lukaku scored two headers to set Belgium on their way to a 3-0 win in Cyprus on Tuesday and a first victory for new coach Roberto Martinez at the start of their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup finals.
Yannick Carrasco added the third as Belgium underlined their status as group favourites despite a change of manager following a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign in which they reached the quarterfinals.
Lukaku, who played under the Martinez at Everton, put Belgium ahead after 13 minutes with a diving header after a shot from Thomas Meunier had been touched on to the crossbar by Cyprus goalkeeper Constantinos Panayi and bounced back into the path of the striker.
The second goal came in the 61st minute as the promising keeper saved Carrasco's effort but the ball ballooned up in the air and Lukaku easily converted with a simple header.
The third followed 20 minutes later when Panayi parried a stinging effort from Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard picking up the rebound and unselfishly squaring for an easy tap-in for Carrasco.
Hazard was brought down in the last minute to allow substitute Michy Batshuayi the chance to score from a penalty but Panayi saved his spot-kick.
Belgium, jeered off by their own supporters when they lost a friendly to Spain in Brussels last Thursday, next play Bosnia at home while Cyprus travel to Greece.
•Photo show Romelu Lukaku.
Source Daily Sports
Posted September 7, 2016
You may also like...
Conte could stay at Chelsea ‘forever’ – Emenalo...
UEFA Champions League Tonight 6-12-2016
Usain Bolt makes football debut
Nasarawa Utd Punish Dakkada To Regain NPFL Lead...
I want to build winning Eagles —Rohr
Sincere Seth completes Turkish switch

WCQ: Chelle claims DR Congo official used voodoo during penalty shootout
Anyanacho wins bronze at Islamic Game
FirstBank secures partnerships for Lagos Open
Nigeria wins best country crown at World Scrabble Champs
Our best wasn’t enough, Nwabali laments DR Congo defeat
'One of the best in Africa' - DR Congo coach admits Leopards are not on Super
We can’t celebrate yet – Chelle
Eagles coach deserves praise – Adepoju
Osimhen leads Nigeria’s push for World Cup lifeline
Islamic Games: Nigeria celebrates boxing, weightlifting medals
African U-20 champ Oyibu joins Baylor University
Nigeria 4-1 Gabon: Eagles soar into World Cup playoffs final
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,344 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,568 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,506 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,134 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,125 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,048 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,888 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,474 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,595 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,170 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,555 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,037 views)