Belgians seal World Cup berth

Hazard and Co become first European team to secure WC spot

Romelu Lukaku’s goal allowed Belgium to become the first European nation to clinch qualification for the 2018 World Cup on Sunday as much-fancied France were held to an embarrassing goalless draw by Luxembourg.

Manchester United striker Lukaku headed in a Thomas Meunier cross in the 74th minute in Piraeus for the decisive goal in a 2-1 Belgium win that guaranteed them top spot in European qualifying Group H.

All the goals came in a frantic five-minute spell, with a low drive by Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen putting Roberto Martinez’s side ahead in the 70th minute.

Portuguese-born midfielder Zeca equalised for Greece only for Lukaku to grab the decisive goal — his 10th in seven qualifiers — a minute later.

Three days after a 4-0 destruction of the Netherlands in which they showcased their frightening array of attacking talent, France proved themselves unable to break down minnows Luxembourg, the nation lying 136th in the world rankings.

Sweden, who beat France 2-1 in June, are second after a resounding 4-0 win in Belarus with goals from Emil Forsberg, Christoffer Nyman, Marcus Berg and an Andreas Granqvist penalty.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands boosted their hopes of making it to the finals with a 3-1 win over Bulgaria in Amsterdam.

Results: Group A: Netherlands: 3 bt Bulgaria: 1; Belarus 0: lost to Sweden: 4; France: 0 drew with Luxembourg: 0; Group B: Faroe Islands: 1 bt Andorra: 0; Latvia 0: lost to Switzerland: 3; Hungary: 0 lost to Portugal: 1; Group H: Estonia: 1 bt Cyprus: 0; Gibraltar 0: lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina: 4; Greece: 1 lost Belgium: 2; Group I: Croatia: 1 bt Kosovo: 0.