Reykjavik (AFP)
Belgium beat Iceland 2-1 on Wednesday in Reykjavik for the 4th day of the League of Nations and take the lead in the group A2 standings (9 points).
Deprived of De Bruyne, Hazard, Mertens or even Courtois, the Belgian selection was however able to count on Romelu Lukaku, who once again proved that he was an essential element of Roberto Martinez's team.
Author of a double, the player of Inter Milan scored his 54th and 55th goals for the Red Devils in 101 caps.
Well alerted by Alderweireld, the powerful striker managed to turn around to place a tense shot with the left foot (9th).
Victim of a tackle in the area, the 27-year-old scored his second goal from the penalty spot, taking perfectly against the Icelandic goalkeeper (38th).
Little inspired in the game, like the new recruit from Stade Rennais, the young winger Jérémy Doku (18 years old, 5 caps, 1 goal) replaced at the hour mark, Roberto Martinez's men conceded the equalization.
On a very good pass from Sigurjonsson in the back of the defense, Saevarsson went to deceive Mignolet with a low shot (17th).
Despite this goal, the Icelanders, deprived of their coach, Erik Hamren, placed in solitary confinement following a case of Covid-19 among one of the collaborators of the federation, recorded a fourth defeat in as many meetings in the competition (11 goals conceded).
A result which allows Belgium, 1st nation in the Fifa ranking, to be leader of its pool (9 points) with two lengths ahead of Denmark and England, beaten at Wembley by Denmark (0-1) .
For the last two meetings of Group A2, Belgium will host England on November 15 and Denmark three days later.
© 2020 AFP