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Lukaku dedicates Belgium goals to stricken Eriksen

football12 June 2021 21:53| © AFP
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Romelu Lukaku © Gallo Images

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku said he shed tears for Christian Eriksen before dedicating his two-goal haul in Saturday's 3-0 win over Russia at Euro 2020 to his stricken Inter Milan team-mate.


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"I am really happy with the win, but it was hard for me to play because my thoughts were with Christian Eriksen -- I dedicate this to him," said Lukaku, the man-of-the-match in Saint Petersburg.

Lukaku gave Belgium an early lead, then shouted "Chris, Chris, stay strong -- I love you" into a pitchside camera during the celebration for his opening goal.

Eriksen is recovering in hospital in Copenhagen after collapsing on the pitch during extraordinary scenes which overshadowed Denmark's 1-0 home defeat by Finland in Saturday's earlier Group B game.

In Saint Petersburg, Belgian substitute Thomas Meunier doubled Belgium's lead on 34 minutes before Lukaku put the result beyond doubt with a late second goal.

"I cried a few tears before the game," Lukaku revealed after the final whistle.

"I spent a lot of time with him," Lukaku said of Eriksen after the pair won the Serie A title with Inter last season. "My thoughts go to his wife and kids."

Lukaku has now scored 20 goals in his last 15 international games.

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