Lukaku inspires Belgium to Luxembourg victory

Romelu Lukaku struck a hat-trick as Belgium beat Luxembourg 5-1 in Genk to claim their first win in five games.

Belgium broke the deadlock inside three minutes when Marouane Fellaini broke with pace before feeding Lukaku, but home ardour was soon doused by Aurélien Joachim's devastating long-distance equaliser. Lukaku restored the advantage midway through the half, then completed his haul after half-time before making way amid a host of substitutions. Still Belgium came, Nacer Chadli making it 4-1 and Kevin De Bruyne's late penalty wrapped things up.

It was Lukaku who took the headlines, however, even if it was Fellaini who sparked things off as he intercepted a pass on halfway, stormed forward and found Lukaku to give Belgium a dream start. Joachim knocked them off their stride briefly, but Luxembourg were architects of their own downfall as defenders contrived to get in one another's way, and Lukaku duly capitalised from close range.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots rang the changes at half-time, with Manchester United FC midfielder Adnan Januzaj among five substitions as he came on for his debut. There were further changes on the hour, but only after Lukaku had claimed the matchball following good work from Thomas Vermaelen. De Bruyne shouldered the attacking burden, teeing up Chadli for the fourth before converting from the spot after another debutant, Divock Origi, Lukaku's replacement, was brought down.

It wrapped up Belgium's first victory in five matches. They will continue their build-up to the FIFA World Cup away to Sweden on 1 June.