Skip to content

International round-up: Romelu Lukaku ends goal drought in Belgium draw

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium in action during the International Friendly match between Belgium and Czech Republic
Image: Romelu Lukaku scored twice for Belgium in their 3-3 draw with Mexico

Romelu Lukaku ended a seven-game goal drought with a brace in Belgium's 3-3 draw with Mexico on Friday.

Mexico's Hirving Lozano exposed Belgium's defence with two goals and Lukaku needed to score twice to give the home side an entertaining draw in a friendly between two World Cup-bound sides.

Manchester United striker Lukaku hadn't scored since Belgium's last game, a 4-0 win over Cyprus last month.

Belgium missed their best three defenders because of injuries, and their absence was exploited. Lozano ran amok through the last line and almost upset the World Cup favourite.

Eden Hazard gave Belgium the early edge, and Guardado equalised in the first half. It set up a spectacular second half, in which Lozano and Lukaku flourished.

Senegal booked their place in next summer's World Cup finals and dashed South Africa's hopes by beating them 2-0 in Polokwane.

Senegal's players celebrate after qualifying for next summer's World Cup
Image: Senegal's players celebrate after qualifying for next summer's World Cup

West Ham forward Diafra Sakho's early goal gave Senegal a half-time lead at the Peter Mokaba Stadium before an own goal from Thamsanqa Mkhize sealed South Africa's fate.

Also See:

South Africa had originally won the match 2-1 on November 12 last year, but it was agreed that the game would be replayed after referee Joseph Lamptey's lifetime ban was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Lamptey has been expelled by FIFA over match-fixing allegations.

Yacine Brahimi won and converted a harshly-awarded late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Algeria against already-qualified Nigeria in a World Cup Africa zone Group B dead-rubber.

In Friday's other friendlies, Portugal beat Saudi Arabia 3-0 thanks to goals from Manuel Fernandes, Goncalo Guedes and Joao Mario, while Poland drew 0-0 with Uruguay.

Play Super 6
Play Super 6

Simply predict six correct scores to win the £250k jackpot. Enter your selections for free here.

Around Sky