Two-goal Romelu Lukaku fired Belgium into next year’s World Cup finals as their golden generation sealed a return to the global showpiece yesterday for the first time since 2002.
A 2-1 win away to Croatia ensures unbeaten Belgium will finish top of Group A as Germany and Switzerland also sealed automatic qualification from the penultimate round of qualifying matches across Europe last night.
Victory on a wet night in Zagreb prompted joyous celebrations from the Belgian players in front of a sizeable and vociferous contingent of travelling fans.
“I’m super happy for the team. We always believed we could qualify and now it’s here,” Lukaku told Belgian television.
The pacey striker had only previously played 52 minutes of qualifying but, starting in place of the injured Christian Benteke, notched his first goals of the campaign for a nation who boast one of the most talented squads in Europe.
Lukaku broke the deadlock from Steven Defour’s defence-splitting pass and doubled the lead seven minutes before the break, racing away from halfway before lifting the ball over prone goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and walking the ball into the net.
He was brought off after 68 minutes, embracing coach Marc Wilmots as he left the rain-soaked pitch.
Croatia second-half substitute Niko Kranjcar grabbed a late consolation goal for the hosts, who have 17 points and are assured of a runners-up finish but were jeered by their fans after a lacklustre performance.
Germany made it to next year’s finals with a game to spare in Group C qualifying after sweeping Ireland aside 3-0.
Sami Khedira’s deflected shot gave the hosts a 12th-minute lead and Andre Schuerrle made it 2-0 in the second half following a fine turn.
Mesut Ozil then made sure of victory with the third goal in stoppage time.
Germany have 25 points from nine games and an unassailable lead at the top of the group before they face second-placed Sweden in Stockholm on Tuesday.
Goals from Xherdan Shaqiri and Michael Lang gave Switzerland a 2-1 victory in Albania that clinched their place in next year’s finals.
The Swiss led Group E at the start of the day and needed just one point to qualify while Albania had to win to revive their slim hopes of topping the table.
England took a big stride towards the finals when they overcame some anxious moments to beat Montenegro 4-1 at Wembley to remain top of Group H with one match to play.
A Wayne Rooney strike after 49 minutes, an own goal from Branko Boskovic after 62 minutes, a stunning third on his debut by Andros Townsend and an injury-time penalty from Daniel Sturridge secured England’s victory.
England lead Group H with 19 points, one ahead of Ukraine and four more than Montenegro.
Montenegro appeared to set up a nervous finale when Dejan Damjanovic scored after 72 minutes but England weathered the storm and will qualify for the 2014 finals if they beat Poland at Wembley in their final qualifier on Tuesday.
The only blot on an otherwise good night for Roy Hodgson’s team was a booking for right-back Kyle Walker, which will keep him out of the next match.
Aquilani salvo
Alberto Aquilani struck an injury-time equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw for Brazil-bound Italy and prevent Denmark climbing into second place in Group B.
Two almost identical far post headers by Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, playing in his first international match since being suspended for six months after being arrested for drink driving, looked to have secured victory against an Italy side that faded after Pablo Osvaldo’s brilliant 28th-minute goal.
But Aquilani silenced the celebrating home fans when he diverted Osvaldo’s weak shot home from close range.
The draw means Denmark stay in third place on 13 points, level with second-placed Bulgaria and a point ahead of the Czech Republic and Armenia, who beat Bulgaria 2-1.
Meanwhile, a hat-trick from Robin van Persie earned the striker the status as the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer as the already-through Dutch hammered Hungary 8-1 in their World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam.
Van Persie took his tally to 41 goals from 80 appearances, passing Patrick Kluivert’s record on a night of clinical efficiency from the Dutch, who were already qualified and racked up their eighth win of the campaign.