Euro 2020 qualifying: Belgium and Netherlands start strong

KOEN VAN WEEL / ANP / AFP

The Netherlands kicked off their Euro 2020 qualifiers in style with a 4-0 win over Belarus on Thursday.

World Cup runners-up Croatia registered an unconvincing 2-1 win over Azerbaijan, while Eden Hazard scored twice in Belgium’s 3-1 victory against Russia.

Elsewhere, Scotland crashed to a 3-0 loss in Kazakhstan, Cyprus thrashed San Marino 5-0, Slovakia overcame Hungary 2-0, Macedonia defeated Latvia 3-1, Northern Ireland beat Estonia 2-0, and Poland edged Austria 1-0.

In Friday’s games, England host the Czech Republic, Portugal take on Ukraine, while France head to Moldova.

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