Romelu Lukaku scored a first-half brace as Belgium obliterated San Marino 9-0 and secured their place at UEFA Euro 2020 in winning a seventh match from seven in qualifying Group I.

Lukaku's goals were his 50th and 51st for Belgium, who have guaranteed they'll finish among the top two in their pool with three games to spare.

Nacer Chadli, Toby Alderweireld and Youri Tielemans each scored-along with a San Marino own-goal-to establish a 6-0 lead in favour of the hosts at half-time.

Christian Benteke came off the bench to score his first international goal in two-and-a-half years. Youngster Yuri Verschaeren also came off the bench, winning and converting a penalty for his maiden international goal, before Timothy Castagne completed the rout.

The visitors remain bottom of Group I and are yet to clinch a point in qualifying-or score a goal-after seven matches.

Group I contenders Russia remain three points behind Belgium in second place after they defeated Scotland 4-0.

Lukaku, 26, had the best share of scoring chances early on, pulled back for a foul on the San Marino goalkeeper to deny one chance before bundling a headed opportunity over the bar.

But the Inter Milan striker got his reward after 28 minutes and put Belgium ahead, firing low and inside Simone Benedettini's near post after Tielemans' pass slipped him in down the right.

Sky Sports Statto attested to Lukaku's being the first player to reach the milestone, not to mention the rate at which his scoring has increased as he's gained international experience.

Anderlecht winger Chadli hit San Marino while they still looked stunned by the breakthrough, with Lukaku this time teeing up his team-mate for a sweetly struck curler from the edge of the box.

Any chance of a San Marino comeback appeared to fade after Cristian Brolli's own-goal to make it 3-0, again hitting the guests not long after they'd conceded.

Eden Hazard assisted Lukaku's second, skipping a pass inside from the left before Inter's frontman swung a hopeful effort inside the far post via a fortunate deflection off Davide Simoncini.

Alderweireld also benefited from a deflection and made it 5-0 after his speculative long-range attempt bounced off Andrea Grandoni and skidded in.

Not content with a five-goal cushion at the halfway mark, Hazard bombarded down the right flank before cutting back for Tielemans to flash a superb finish inside the far post.

Dries Mertens almost threaded Lukaku through for his hat-trick strike early in the second period, with the Red Devils looking at ease in what appeared little more than a training exercise for the hosts.

Mertens almost found Belgium's seventh, thwacking the post with a cross-goal effort before Lukaku was denied at close range from the ensuing corner. The former made way for 18-year-old Verschaeren-making just his second international appearance-soon after.

San Marino gave a far sturdier account of themselves in the second half, albeit welcoming a torrent of Belgian pressure inside their own half.

They kept the second period goalless for 34 minutes, but Crystal Palace striker Benteke eventually broke down the barriers once more with a slick long-range effort of his own.

Teenage prospect Verschaeren opened his international account from 12 yards after he was brought down in the box by Brolli, then played a crucial role crossing in for Castagne's sealing strike.

Belgian football writer John Chapman picked out his highlights from the match, which included super-substitutes Benteke and Verschaeren

The hosts had almost 80 percent of possession on the night and failed to concede a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

Belgium have the prestigious honour of becoming the first UEFA nation to qualify for Euro 2020, taking a great burden off Martinez's shoulders entering the final phases of their group campaign.

 

Late goals galore for Ronald Koeman's team after Northern Ireland took a surprise lead in their Euro 2020 qualifier

Holland and Northern Ireland battled in a close game in their Euro 2020 Group C qualifying match on Thursday night.

It took 75 minutes to find a breakthrough, but it was Northern Ireland who got it against the run of play thanks to Josh Magennis.

However, Holland got a goal back not long after, as Memphis Depay struck the ball into the back of the net with 10 minutes to go. Then, in injury time, it was Frenkie de Jong who poked home from close range, with Depay adding another soon after for the win.

 

Moore's maiden goal earns visitors a point in Trnava

Wales were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovakia in Thursday's Euro 2020 qualifier after Kieffer Moore's header was cancelled out by Juraj Kucka.

Kieffer Moore's first goal for Wales was not enough for Ryan Giggs' men as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovakia in Thursday's Euro 2020 qualifier.

Wales took the lead at Stadion Antona Malatinskeho through Moore's maiden goal 25 minutes into his first competitive start for the senior side.

But they were denied a third successive victory by Juraj Kucka's goal early in the second half as Slovakia, who had Norbert Gyomber sent off late on, fought back strongly for a point.

The point leaves the visitors fourth in Group E and three points behind Slovakia, although they have a game in hand on each of the sides above them.

Wales were 1-0 winners when these sides met in Cardiff seven months ago and they took a deserved lead in Trnava.

Less than a minute after Gareth Bale's looping header struck the angle of post and crossbar, Moore got on the end of Daniel James' cross from the left to head into the bottom-left corner.

Robert Mak squandered a good opportunity to level before half-time when firing straight at Wayne Hennessey from a promising position, but Slovakia were on level terms eight minutes into the second half.

Connor Roberts' headed clearance fell nicely for Kucka, who rifled a volley past Hennessey from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Hennessey was called into action to keep out Albert Rusnak's low drive as Slovakia searched for a winner, but Kucka was shown a second yellow for clattering into Moore two minutes from time to end their hopes of finding one.

 

Croatia outclass Hungary in Split

Croatia has moved a step closer to qualifying for EURO 2020 after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Hungary in front of a packed Poljud Stadium in Split on Thursday night.

A double from Dinamo Zagreb striker Bruno Petković after Luka Modrić opened the scoring has sent Croatia three points clear at the top of Group E with two games remaining.

With a fantastic crowd of 32,110  behind them, Zlatko Dalić's side got off to a great start and took the lead in just the 5th minute when Modrić was left one-on-one with Hungary keeper Gulacsi after dispossessing defender Kadar of the ball. The Croatia captain made no mistake, calmly slotting home to make it 1-0.

Croatia continued to control possession and after a half chance to Ivan Perišić they would double the lead in the 24th minute. AC Milan winger Ante Rebić would break free down the left before finding Petković with his back to goal and a cheeky backheel from the Dinamo striker would find the back of the net to make it 2-0.