Romelu Lukaku’s hat-trick lead Belgium to a comfortable victory against Sweden in their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.
Lukaku headed home his first in the 35th minute before turning in from close range four minutes after the restart, and then slotting home in late on the 82nd minute mark.
At 41 years, five months and 21 days, Ibrahimovic broke the record held by Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff since 1983, as the oldest man to play in a European Championship qualifier when he came on in the 73rd minute to a standing ovation from the Swedish fans for his first international appearance in almost a year.
However, Gibraltar striker Lee Casciaro – who is four days older than Ibrahimovic – took the record in his team’s 3-0 home defeat to Greece in Group B on Friday.
Ibrahimovic, who last weekend became the oldest player to score a goal in Serie A history when the AC Milan striker converted a penalty against Udinese, wants to become the oldest player to play at Euro 2024 in Germany next year when he will be 42.
Lukaku’s treble – his first goals for his country since 2021 – gave Domenico Tedesco the perfect start as Belgium boss.
The Red Devils were kept off the top of their group by Austria who got a 4-1 triumph against Azerbaijan with Manchester United’s Marcel Sabitzer scoring twice.