Belgium became the first side from Europe to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after beating Greece 2-1 at the Karaiskakis Stadium on Sunday.
A frantic five-minute period in the second half at the Karaiskakis Stadium sealed the deal for Belgium as goals from Jan Vertonghen and Romelu Lukaku either side of Zeca’s goal for Greece ensured that the Red Devils will top Group H.
The free scoring Belgium have now joined hosts Russia, Brazil, Iran, Japan and Mexico to have booked their place in next summer’s World Cup. And users were quick to congratulate Roberto Martinez and the Red Devils following their qualification to Russia 2018.
Belgium are unbeaten in World Cup qualification matches since 2009:
WDWWWWWWWDWWWWDWWW pic.twitter.com/WcnzeIAkEc
— Football Facts (@FootbalIFact) September 3, 2017
People questioned the hiring of Roberto Martinez, now Belgium are already in the world cup.
— Bowale (@Son_of_a_O) September 3, 2017
Pleased for Martinez, his Belgium side the first to qualify, doing a great job
— L_E Toffee (@L_EToffee) September 3, 2017
Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini are going to World Cup 2018.
Belgium becomes the first European nation to qualify for WC 2018. pic.twitter.com/RFui1JCYVK
— Man Utd Channel (@ManUtdChannel) September 3, 2017
Congratulations to Mertens’s Belgium on becoming the first European team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next year. ?? pic.twitter.com/E0rMjRdDBL
— Everything Napoli (@NaplesAndNapoli) September 3, 2017
A 2-1 win in Greece and Roberto Martinez and Graeme Jones lead Belgium into next summer’s World Cup…first Euro qualifiers. ??? #wafc
— Paul Kendrick (@PKendrickWIG) September 3, 2017
However, the Belgium boss still retained his fair share of doubters after his side had to fight hard to topple the Greeks:
Roberto Martinez wears short sleeved shirts and a tie.
Belgium are definitely going to disappoint in the World Cup.
— Oluwacloutinho (@Nigerianscamsss) September 3, 2017
Belgium the first European team to qualify for the World Cup. Team stacked with talent shame it will all be wasted with Martinez as manager!
— Two Footed Fantasy (@2FootedFantasy) September 3, 2017
Eden uninjured is all I care about. With Roberto martinez in charge Belgium are going nowhere. Leicester next, Comon Chelseaaaa
— Carlos P (@savage2ooo) September 3, 2017
Belgium struggling against Greece. How does Martinez get these jobs
— Steven French (@SteveFrenchCFC) September 3, 2017
Putting Roberto Martinez in charge of Belgium is like allowing Mr Bean to drive a Mercedes Formula One car.
— Matt Hewitt (@MattHewitt69) September 3, 2017
Roberto Martinez being the manager of Belgium is still the most random thing ever
— Peter Watt (@ped_watt) September 3, 2017
Got to hand it to Martinez, takes a special type of manager to make this Belgium side look awful against Greece
— ▪️ (@Aldo1878) September 3, 2017
But, Romelu Lukaku was the show stealer for the Red Devils, scoring the goal that sent Belgium into the World Cup. Unsurprisingly, Manchester United fans are excited by the powerful striker’s form as well.
Romelu Lukaku has scored more goals (10) than any other player in UEFA World Cup qualifying Group H.
The World Cup clinching strike? pic.twitter.com/rBGMduJYc4
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 3, 2017
Lukaku sends Belgium to World Cup pic.twitter.com/o5wcfL2iLu
— Ewan⚽️ (@LukakuFlick) September 3, 2017
2013, Lukaku’s double vs Croatia secures WC qualification. 2017, Lukaku’s header sends Belgium to Worldcup in Russia, Man on a mission ???. pic.twitter.com/JhWdHu8gB8
— JM¹ (@Mourinholic) September 3, 2017
In his last six games for club and country, Romelu Lukaku has scored 8 goals. The man is in fine form ⚽️?
— JM¹ (@Mourinholic) September 3, 2017
Lukaku has bagged more goals on international duty this week than Lacazette has managed all season. It’s getting nasty lol
— NOT NICE (@AaronMancz) September 3, 2017
Lukaku after his first 6 games:
Real Madrid – ⚽️
West Ham – ⚽️⚽️
Swansea – ⚽️
Leicester – ❌
Gibraltar – ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Greece – ⚽️Solid start? pic.twitter.com/A3bagpdQm3
— 1 (@no1bdg) September 3, 2017
Romelu Lukaku has now scored 8 goals in 6 games for club & country !! What a start ?? pic.twitter.com/hZVqxWJkJG
— The ManUtd Blog (@the_manutd_blog) September 3, 2017
Lukaku is an absolute monster of a man & a goal machine. He’s only going to get better too. Some player United have!
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 3, 2017
—Belgium’s top scorer in qualifying ✅
—Winner to put Belgium into the World Cup ✅
—Three goals in three Premier League games for United ✅ pic.twitter.com/xY58J8CU9S— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 3, 2017
Romelu Lukaku is having one hell of a season already.
On fire for Belgium and on fire for Manchester United.— Pogbasic (@Pogbasic) September 4, 2017
