‘Chris I love you’: Lukaku’s message to stricken star

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku paid tribute to his club teammate Christian Eriksen who collapsed on the pitch on Saturday, calling out “Chris, Chris I love you” to a television camera after scoring in the European Championship against Russia.

Lukaku used his goal after 10 minutes in St Petersburg to send a message of support to Eriksen, who dropped to the ground during Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 game against Finland in Copenhagen and was given CPR on the pitch earlier in the day.

Eriksen was conscious in hospital after the health scare, but the match in Copenhagen was halted for more than an hour before resuming.

Lukaku and Eriksen together helped Inter Milan in their Serie A winning season, both playing major parts in the club winning the title after 10 years.

The Belgians, top of the FIFA rankings, doubled the score before the break through Thomas Meunier.

Lukaku scored his second of the night two minutes from the end — extending his record tally for his country to 62 goals.

Belgium’s obvious superiority was evident throughout the Group B encounter in St Petersburg, and victory for Roberto Martinez’s team came without Kevin De Bruyne, out with injury, and only a cameo substitute appearance from captain Eden Hazard, another of the team’s talismans.

Belgium go to the top of the group standings, ahead on goal difference from Finland, who upset Denmark 1-0 in Copenhagen earlier on Saturday. (Reuters)
______________________________
Last updated: 2021-06-13 HKT 05:13