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Romelu Lukaku, Hirving Lozano Score Brace in 3-3 Draw Between Belgium and Mexico

Gianni Verschueren@ReverschPassX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistNovember 10, 2017

BRUSSEL, BELGIUM - NOVEMBER 10: (L-R) Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium, Hector Herrera of Mexico  during the  International Friendly match between Belgium  v Mexico  at the Koning Boudewijnstadion on November 10, 2017 in Brussel Belgium (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Belgium and Mexico served up a spectacular international friendly on Friday that saw Romelu Lukaku and Hirving Lozano both score twice in a 3-3 draw at Heysel Stadium.

Eden Hazard gave the Red Devils the lead in the 17th minute, but Andres Guardado tied things from the penalty spot in the 38th. Lukaku restored the lead in the 55th before Lozano's quick double shocked the fans in Brussels, but the Manchester United man had the last word.    

Here's a look at the two teams, via the Belgians' official Twitter account and ESPN FC's Tom Marshall:

Belgian Red Devils @BelRedDevils

Line-up ! 🇧🇪 🆚 🇲🇽 Waar kijk jij? 😊 Où regardez-vous ? 😊 Where do you watch ? 😊 #BELMEX #RoadtoRussia ⚽ https://t.co/tHr5sHymGr

Tom Marshall @mexicoworldcup

México XI v Belgium #eltrieng https://t.co/LlPJ4fSJDl

El Tri started with plenty of aggression against Belgium's makeshift defence, applying a lot of pressure. The first chance fell to the visitors, as Miguel Layun put goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to work with a hard shot five minutes in, while Axel Witsel replied with a volley that flew wide in the 10th.

Thomas Meunier's failed cross turned into a dangerous shot that nearly clipped the bar before Hazard opened the score. The Chelsea man tore through the defence with remarkable speed, and while Lukaku couldn't get past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa with his initial effort, Hazard buried the rebound.

Sportwereld's Vince Van Genechten noted the Red Devils, headed by two men in particular, were starting to find their feet:

Vince Van Genechten 🇩🇪🌍 @VVGenechten

When #Hazard and #DeBruyne are having their night, the @BelRedDevils are damn good... #BELMEX

Just minutes later, Kevin De Bruyne nearly doubled the lead, as the Mexican defence gave him far too much space. Ochoa went down quickly, however, making an excellent save.

The pace of the match dropped significantly, but Mexico got back in the game eight minutes before half-time after Laurent Ciman pulled Javier Hernandez down in the box. Guardado converted the spot-kick.

Per Marshall, Belgium's defensive tactics played a role in the sequence:

Tom Marshall @mexicoworldcup

Belgium defending 3 v 3 at the back. Dangerous with Chicharito/Vela/Lozano. #eltrieng

Hazard came close to restoring the lead, but Ochoa made another fine stop. The Mexican No. 1 denied De Bruyne as well, pushing his shot onto the post. The late pressure didn't result in any more goals.

Dries Mertens replaced De Bruyne to start the second half, while Youri Tielemans also stayed in the dressing room for the Red Devils, with Mousa Dembele entering the pitch.

The match was paused just a few minutes into the half following an injury to Hernandez, who grabbed his hamstring. The West Ham United man couldn't continue and was replaced by Raul Jimenez.

(L-R) Hector Moreno of Mexico, Romelu Lukaku of Belgium during the friendly match between Belgium and Mexico on November 10, 2017 at the Koning Boudewijn stadium in Brussels, Belgium.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
VI-Images/Getty Images

In the 53rd minute, Mertens aimed a free-kick over the bar, and Lukaku only just missed the target from a sharp angle. The Red Devils dominated, and the Manchester United man deservedly restored the lead a few minutes later. He did so accidentally, however. His touch failed him completely, but the ball rolled over the line anyway.

El Tri turned around the situation in a matter of minutes, taking full advantage of Belgium's insistence on playing with just three defenders against three attackers. Lozano struck twice in quick succession, giving Courtois no chance with his first finish in the 56th minute and converting a rebound for his second four minutes later.

ESPN FC's Cesar Hernandez loved it:

Cesar Hernandez @cesarhfutbol

Golazo Chucky Lozano! That's two against Belgium! #ElTriEng

Mertens tried to hit back, firing straight at Ochoa. And Lukaku had more luck, converting a fine cross from the Napoli man to tie things once again in the 70th minute.

Belgium remained in the ascendancy as they searched for a winner, but the threat of the counter was never far off. Lozano beat Meunier with pace but couldn't keep his shot on target. On the other side of the pitch, a last-ditch tackle denied Hazard his second goal.

Play continued to go up and down, but chances grew rare. The final score remained 3-3, and both teams received a standing ovation after the final whistle, having served up a stunning match.

Next up for El Tri is a friendly against Poland on Monday at PGE Arena Gdansk, while the Red Devils will face Japan on Tuesday at Jan Breydel Stadium.