As the Premier League weekends made way for the international break, with all their reluctance, football fans across the world could never have anticipated the goal feasts they would be treated with. From Europe to Asia, football pitches across the globe had their nets disturbed quite a lot by the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Son Heung-min, among others on Thursday.
Middle of a huge off-the-field controversy, the Iranian football team had everything to prove as they took on Cambodia. In the marquee night which saw female football fans being allowed in the stadium for the first time since 1979 in Iran, the home team thrashed their opponents 14-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers.
REVIEW – Goals galore as big guns fire in @theafcdotcom #WorldCup qualifying 🔥
Read more 👉 https://t.co/vvGOkbcmN4 pic.twitter.com/DspFPw5IEF
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 11, 2019
The first blood was drawn by midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi with a long-ranger in the fifth minute. Striker Karim Ansarifard and Sardar Azmoun took charge from there as they shared seven of the 14 goals among themselves.
Romelu Lukaku of Belgium, on the other hand, made sure to not have a dry run at the Euro 2020 Qualifiers. With the Inter Milan striker scoring two, Roberto Martinez’ side defeated San Marino 9-0 and became the first team to qualify for next year’s continental event.
🇧🇪 Belgium qualify for #EURO2020 & equal their record win on the same night 👏👏👏#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Sio6cH0tZf
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@UEFAEURO) October 10, 2019
Other than the former Manchester United man, seven other Belgian players found the back of the net on a day which saw two defenders scoring. However, their star performer Eden Hazard had his poor form continued at the international arena as well.
Another Asian giant, South Korea, riding on the brilliance of Son Heung-Min, embarrassed minnow Sri Lanka 8-0 in the second round of World Cup qualifiers. The Tottenham man was at his usual best for his double delight, while his teammate Kim Shin-wook registered four goals.
Two other Asian powerhouses, namely Japan and Australia, too, had a productive day at the offices. While Japan humiliated Mongolia 6-0, the team from down under humbled Nepal 5-0.