Belgium secured its objective of being placed in the top seeding for the Euro 2024 finals after a 5-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Sunday. Belgian coach Domenico Tedesco considered winning the European Championship to be more challenging than winning the World Cup. Romelu Lukaku scored four goals in the first twenty minutes of the match, leading Belgium to a win that secured them the top position in their qualifying group. This victory placed Belgium ahead of Austria and ensured a spot among the top seeds for the tournament draw scheduled for December 2. The finals will take place in Germany next year.
Tedesco told reporters, "Securing a top seed may be a small advantage because it will spare you from playing against Germany, Portugal, and France. But it doesn’t make it easier because, in my opinion, winning the European Championship is always more difficult than winning the World Cup." Lukaku delivered an outstanding individual performance, and his four goals in the match brought his total to 14, setting a record in qualifying for a single European Championship.
Tedesco remarked, "He was exceptional as every shot on target found the net, and there’s nothing better than that. Is he the best striker I've worked with in my career? It’s always difficult to say, but I believe he is. He can't be stopped." Belgium has shown impressive performance since their shocking exit from the group stage at the last World Cup in Qatar, which led to the departure of the former coach Roberto Martinez and Tedesco's appointment. The team has not lost in the ten matches they have played since then, and Tedesco noted that the atmosphere surrounding the team, which was reportedly tense in Qatar, has greatly improved. He added, "The group loves each other, which gives me a really nice feeling. The young players and the experienced ones are really excited, and that is very important."
