Romelu Lukaku dedicates his performance against Russia to fellow Inter Milan teammate (Christian Eriksen) after the heartbreaking scenes that occurred yesterday. During the Denmark vs Finland match, Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch having to have immediate medical attention receiving CPR. After 10 minutes he was eventually stretchered off and taken to hospital. The latest update by the Danish FA says:

“His condition is stable and he continues to remain in hospital for futher examination”.

Eriksen is awake in hospital and has spoken to his teammates and medical staff, much to the relief of football fans around the world.

Belgium make light work of their opening fixture at St Petersburg without two of their star players De Bruyne and Witsel due to injury. Although Eden hazard is in the squad but he starts for Belgium on the Bench.

First Half analysis: Lukaku opens the score.

Belgium did not seem to be affected by the scenes in Copenhagen and are showing a promising start to the game. Both teams are putting pressure on the others defence, playing end to end football. With Belgium beginning to look more of a threat, especially the likes of Lukaku. The first goal came in the 10th minute of the match as Mertens crosses the ball into the box. However a poor misjudged clearance by Andrei Semyonov allows Lukaku to slot the ball neatly into the bottom right corner. Despite initial call for disallowing the goal due to an offside position and after consulting VAR a touch from the defender plays Lukaku onside and the goal stands. 1-0 to Belgium.

Russia are responding well after falling one behind going close with a corner. Fernandes connects well on the ball with a header but aims it straight at Courtois. A few minutes later Russia show great potential with the link up play between Golovin and Dyzuba. Dyzuba chests it down to Ozdoyev who scuffs his shot wide.

Reaching the half hour mark and Belgium are having the most of any chances but Russia are more than matching them physically. 34 minutes in and a cross from the left by Thorgan Hazard straight into the channel between striker and the keeper who saw it late and parried it into the waiting Meunier calmly slotting it home first time after seven minutes on the pitch. Russia are in danger of losing the game in the first half as Belgium look threatening everytime they push forward.

Second Half

The second half seems to be dominated by substitution. The only real chance is from Russia’s Zobnin. As he gets to the edge of the box and hits his shot over the bar. The most significant change in the match was the introduction of Eden Hazard in the 70th minute. Two minutes of normal time remain and Belgium look to make one final push as Meunier driving run bypasses the Russian midfielder and a threading through ball to Lukaku results in Belgium’s third goal of the game with the striker scoring a brace for Belgium.

Overall Conclusion

It is a great start to the Euros for Belgium as they are victorious in the match against Russia and it is difficult to see anyone stopping them now. Next they travel to Copenhagen to play Denmark on Thursday 17th June at 5pm.