LUKAKU ON TARGET AGAINST CZECH REPUBLIC

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku was the recipient of the lone goal scored by the Red Devils of Belgium as they dropped points for the first time in their qualifiers ahead of the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar. Belgium are the number one country on the latest FIFA Rankings and they were forced to a 1-1 draw by hosts Czech Republic at the Eden Arena in Prague on Saturday night. It was their second qualifying match in Group E of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers as far as the European section is concerned. Inter Milan hitman Lukaku had been on target in the first qualifier on Wednesday night as he helped his team overcome Wales. He scored the third goal as Belgium came from behind to beat Wales 3-1 at home.

Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson has been playing for Cardiff City this season and he gave Wales an early lead before quickfire first half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Thorgan Hazard gave Belgium a 2-1 victory. Inter Milan star Lukaku wrapped up the win with a third goal from the spot after Wales centre back Chris Mepham had fouled Dries Mertens in the Welsh box.

Lukaku made it two goals in two games at the start of the World Cup 2022 qualifiers after his equaliser against the Czechs on the hour mark off the throughball from Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne after Lukas Prodov had given the home team the lead ten minutes earlier. The Inter Milan striker was able to extend his lead as the all-time leading goalscorer for the Red Devils of Belgium. He has now scored 59 goals in 91 games for his country.

The Inter Milan talisman is the first player to score 59 international goals before the age of 28 in Europe since Gerd Muller achieved the feat in the colours of Germany many decades ago. Lukaku has now scored 36 goals in his last 31 games for his country, netting in all the ten European Championships and World Cup qualifiers in that period. The Inter Milan player would be hoping to add to his tally of 59 goals when Belgium host Belarus on Tuesday in the third and final Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier of this March 2021 international break in Group E.