The hosts opened the scoring after just three minutes, as Lukaku was left in acres of space on the edge of the box and unleashed an effort that Nyland failed to hold on to.
Advertisement
However defensive frailties allowed Norway to equalise after 21 minutes and take a 2-1 lead early in the second half, leaving Belgian coach Marc Wilmots still pondering his starting lineup for the opening match at the finals against Italy on June 13.
The captain levelled the contest with a fine header in the 70 minute, before Montreal Impact’s Laurent Ciman bagged a victor only three minutes later.
Radja Nainggolan was dispossessed by visiting captain Stefan Johansen in a risky area and the Celtic midfielder’s clever reverse pass allowed King to dispatch an excellent first-time finish in off the far post, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance.
Belgium continued to pile on the pressure as Dries Mertens fired wide from a tight angle and Lukaku’s goal-bound effort was blocked having rounded Nyland.
The result allowed Marc Wilmots’ side to complete a largely positive build-up to the European Championship on the field, following a 2-1 victory in Switzerland and a 1-1 draw at home to Finland.
“We let in two avoidable goals. that can not happen”. Still, Belgium often looked slow against an average offense.
Belgium, second in FIFA’s world rankings, are facing a crisis in defence, marked by the absence of captain Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Lombaerts, Dedryck Boyata and Bjorn Engels, all ruled out of the tournament in France with injuries.
Thomas Vermaelen, the Barcelona centre-back, also missed the Norway clash with a muscle strain.
Nainggolan, who plays for AS Roma, noted that Italy were also missing several players and acknowledged his mistake led to Norway’s opener.
Belgium launched a stirring fightback to defeat Norway 3-2 as its preparation for Euro 2016 ended on a high in Brussels.
Advertisement
Continuing his renaissance after a hard season with his club, Hazard – who struck his eighth goal in his last five games for his country, commented on his effort which drew the sides level.
