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Dzeko hat-trick kick-starts Bosnia's Euro 2016 campaign

March 29, 2015 12:49 IST

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Edin Dzeko (centre front) and Edin Visca celebrate a goal against Andorra during their Euro 2016 qualifier soccer match at Estadi Nacional stadium. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters

Bosnia captain Edin Dzeko struck a hat-trick to kick-start their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign as they beat no-hopers Andorra 3-0 in a one-sided Group B match in Andorra La Vella on Saturday.

The result lifts Bosnia, struggling to reach the finals despite playing at the World Cup last year, to five points, six behind leaders Wales but now in contention for a playoff place.

Dzeko opened the scoring with a left-foot drive after Senad Lulic turned the ball into his path in the 13th minute.

He doubled the lead four minutes into the second half after being set up again by Lulic who also got an assist for the third just poast the hour when he rolled the ball to Dzeko who tapped in to take his tally for his country to 41 from 70 matches.

Andorra, who have now lost their last 49 consecutive competitive matches, stay bottom after their fifth straight defeat.

Fellaini double helps Belgium crush Cyprus

Belgium's Marouane Fellaini celebrates with teammates after scoring against Cyprus during their Euro 2016 qualifying match at the King Baudouin stadium. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters

Marouane Fellaini struck twice as Belgium moved within three points of Euro 2016 Group B qualifying leaders Wales with a 5-0 thumping of Cyprus on Saturday.

After a win and two draws from their first three matches, Belgium knew the pressure was on to produce a performance befitting a side ranked fourth in the world.

"The players enjoyed themselves and knew what to do. Yes, I'm satisfied," Belgian coach Marc Wilmots told reporters.

The hosts, who reached the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup, were 2-0 up at halftime although they could easily have been four or five ahead against a packed but often porous Cypriot defence.

Manchester United midfielder Fellaini opened Belgium's account midway through the first half after the visitors failed to clear a corner. A cross by Eden Hazard then set up Christian Benteke to make it 2-0 in the 35th minute.

Fellaini found the top corner with a perfectly placed long-range strike in the 66th minute but that effort was matched a minute later by Hazard.

With two defenders in front of him, the Chelsea playmaker shifted cleverly to the right before curling the ball into the net off the inside of the far post.

Debutant Michy Batshuayi completed the demolition in the 80th minute after the hard-working Radja Nainggolan dispossessed a defender.

Cyprus, who beat Bosnia 2-1 in September, were without six injured players and barely mounted an attack with a single off-target header in the second half proving their only threat.

"We lost to the better team. Belgium is one of the best in the world," said Cyprus coach Charalambos Christodoulou.

"We have to forget this game. We knew from the start it would be difficult to get something away against Belgium.

Source: REUTERS
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