Belgium began its Euro competition journey with a convincing 3-0 victory against Russia in a match held in Saint Petersburg on Saturday evening, as part of the first round of Group B matches. The goals for Belgium were scored by Romelu Lukaku in minutes (10, 88) and Thomas Meunier in minute (34).
Belgium earned its first 3 points to lead the group on goal difference over Finland, which defeated Denmark earlier today with a score of 1-0.
#### Belgian Onslaught
Belgium managed to open the scoring early in the 10th minute with their first attempt, as Mertens delivered a cross from the right into the penalty area. Semenov misjudged the clearance, allowing Lukaku to break free, who then shot directly into the net.
Russia's first appearance came in the 14th minute, when Fernandes followed up on a corner kick taken by Golovin, heading a strong shot that Courtois brilliantly saved.
The Russian response continued as Dzyuba set up Ozdoev at the edge of the penalty area in the 16th minute, but his shot went wide of the goal.
Belgium nearly added a second goal in the 19th minute when Lukaku initiated a counterattack from near midfield, reached the penalty area, and passed a ground ball to the unmarked Dendoncker, whose shot went over the crossbar.
#### Russian Gifts
The Russian defense struggled with crosses, as Dzyukov failed to clear the ball, allowing Thorgan Hazard to strike a powerful shot that Chinin saved.
Alderweireld attempted to surprise Chinin with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area in the 29th minute, but his effort also went over the bar.
Belgium scored its second goal in the 34th minute, when Hazard sent in a cross that was weakly cleared by Chinin, falling to substitute Meunier, who easily slotted the ball into the net. The first half ended with Belgium leading 2-0.
Russia started the second half with intensity, and in the 46th minute, Zobnin took a shot from outside the penalty area that went past the post.
#### Calm in the Match
The match quieted down in the following minutes, as neither team attempted to shoot on target since the half began, with Belgium conserving energy and Russia aiming to avoid conceding more goals.
Belgium's coach Martínez introduced Eden Hazard in the 72nd minute for Mertens, allowing him to display some skillful dribbling against Russian players amidst the calm play.
In a rare attacking appearance from either team in the second half, Golovin sent in a cross in the 84th minute that Boyata cleared with a shot that narrowly missed the post and could have surprised Courtois.
#### The Final Blow
Belgium delivered the knockout blow to Russia with a third goal in the 88th minute, as Lukaku received a through ball from Meunier, broke in on Chinin, and sent a low shot into the net.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Russia earned a free kick at the edge of the penalty area, taken by Miranchuk, but his shot went over the bar, concluding the match with Belgium winning 3-0.
