Belgium 1-1 Austria: Romelu Lukaku stunner rescues draw for hosts against unbeaten Austrians in Euro 2024 qualifying

Belgium struck back to earn a 1-1 draw with Austria in Brussels, leaving the visitors top of Group F in Euro 2024 qualification and still unbeaten.

Ralf Rangnick’s side conceded two free kicks inside the first minute as they made a point of pressing hyper-aggressively from the off. Their aggression caught the hosts off guard and resulted in multiple turnovers in dangerous positions.

Belgium’s wingers – Dodi Lukebakio and Jeremy Doku – were making hay down either flank but could not connect with centre forward Romelu Lukaku.

The breakthrough came somewhat against the run of play in the 21st minute when Michael Gregoritsch volleyed a long corner towards goal. Thibaut Courtois probably had it covered, but Orel Mangala stuck out a leg and deflected the shot into the bottom corner.

Belgium continued to dominate the ball and field position, but Austria’s competent defending kept them at arm’s length. The second half began with wave after wave of Belgian attacks, but the final pass continued to elude the hosts.

Just before the hour, Lukaku unleashed a missile of a shot from just outside the area. It flashed wide, but the warning had been sent. Austria failed to heed it.

Three minutes later, Lukebakio zipped a pass into Lukaku’s feet and the Belgian captain rocketed his shot into the bottom corner to equalise. After the goal, the game became stretched.

Both sides had chances to win it, notably Youri Tielemans who saw a brilliant strike from outside the box cannon back off the underside of the bar in stoppage time, but neither could quite get over the line.

Belgium continued pressing for a winner, while the Austrians countered effectively. Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco remains unbeaten since taking over after the World Cup, but will be disappointed at not taking victory at home and at seeing his team’s 15-match winning streak in qualifiers come to an end.

Talking point – Belgium’s wingers are legit

Regardless of the outcome, one thing was proven beyond a doubt tonight. That is the quality of the hosts’ wide attacking options. Rennes winger Jeremy Doku was sensational down the left. His stop-start running and incisive, aggressive style wrought havoc in the Austrian defence. On another night he would have had a hat-trick of assists.

On the other flank, Dodi Lukebakio was just as good. His stylish turn early in the match left the Austrian defender grasping and he invariably beat the first man every time he received the ball.

Once this duo develop more chemistry with captain Romelu Lukaku, they will be a front three to be feared.

Player of the Match – Thibaut Courtois

Austria may have only managed three shots on target in the 90 minutes, but Courtois shone for the hosts. A beacon of calm in an often chaotic match, Courtois lifted his team mates and frustrated Austria in equal measure. With Belgium pushing for a goal for most of the match, the big keeper was routinely left with little defensive cover and left to stand alone. Despite that, he was unflappable.

The Real Madrid star was also effective in restarting Belgian attacks with his feet and even shot off his line to sweep more than once.

Player ratings

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois 9, Wout Faes 6, Leander Dendoncker 6, Arthur Theate 7, Timothy Castagne 6, Youri Tielemans 7, Orel Mangala 6, Jeremy Doku 8, Romelu Lukaku 7, Yannick Carrasco 6, Dodi Lukebakio 7. Subs: Lois Openda N/A, Johan Bakayoko N/A, Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye N/A, Aster Vranckx 7, Ameen Al Dakhil N/A

Austria: Alexander Schlager 7, David Alaba 7, Philipp Lienhart 7, Maximilian Wober 6, Stefan Posch 7, Xaver Schlager 6, Nicolas Seiwald 6, Christoph Baumgartner 7, Patrick Wimmer 7, Michael Gregoritsch 8, Marko Arnautovic 6. Subs: Marcel Sabitzer 6,Florian Kainz 6, Philip Mwene 7.

Match highlights

21’ GOAL AUSTRIA – The corner comes in long and Michael Gregoritsch volleys towards goal but it’s the attempted clearance of Orel Mangala that takes the shot past Courtois.

58’ HUGE SAVE COURTOIS – Arnautovic seemed certain to score, but the Real Madrid keeper pulls off a magnificent stop.

59’ LUKAKU LAUNCHES ROCKET – An unstoppable shot from the big striker slides just wide of Schlager’s post. That would have been an incredible goal.

61’ GOAL BELGIUM – A sensational strike from the big striker, almost a copy of the chance a few minutes ago, is buried in the bottom corner.

90’ OFF THE BAR! – Tielemans is millimeters away from a winner, but the ball somehow doesn’t go in.

Key stats

Belgium: 16 – Doku made more than twice as many dribbles as the entire Austrian team combined. The hosts simply continued to feed the winger the ball, because the visitors could do nothing to stop him.

Austria: 64 – Austria’s wait for a win over Belgium passed 64 years earlier in the week and that timer keeps running after the draw in Brussels tonight.