Belgium completed its goal of earning a place in Pot 1 for the Euro 2024 finals draw following a 5-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Sunday, as coach Domenico Tedesco suggested it is a harder tournament to win than the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Romelu Lukaku scored four goals in 20 first-half minutes as Belgium romped to the win that earned it top spot in its qualification pool ahead of Austria and a place among the top seeds in the December 2 draw for next year\u2019s finals in Germany.<\/p>\n
\u201cSitting in Pot 1 can be a small advantage, because you avoid Germany, Portugal, France,\u201d Tedesco told reporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it is not the case that it becomes easy because in my opinion a European Championship is always more difficult (to win) than a World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lukaku delivered an outstanding individual performance and his four goals took his tally to 14 – a record for a single Euros qualifying campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was outstanding,\u201d Tedesco said. \u201cIf every shot on goal goes in, you can\u2019t do better. Is he the best striker I\u2019ve ever worked with? That\u2019s always hard to say, but I think so. He is unstoppable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belgium has been in excellent form since a shock group-stage exit at the World Cup in Qatar, which signalled the exit of former coach Roberto Martinez and the arrival of Tedesco.<\/p>\n
It has not lost in 10 games since, and Tedesco said the atmosphere around the team, which had reportedly been strained in Qatar, is much improved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group loves each other and that makes me feel very good,\u201d he said. \u201cBoth the young and experienced players are really hungry. That is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belgium will play England in London in a friendly in March, while Tedesco also confirmed it will play two matches against as yet unnamed opponents in June in the build-up to the Euros.<\/p>\n
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