Belgium vs. Norway: Score, Reaction from 2016 International Friendly

Belgium ended their Euro 2016 preparations on a high after defeating Norway, 3-2, on Sunday, as goals from Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Laurent Ciman saw them avoid a potentially embarrassing result. 

Lukaku put Belgium on the board first after just three minutes at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, but Joshua King and Veton Berisha netted either side of the break to put the guests ahead heading into the final 20 minutes.

Two goals in the space of three minutes from Hazard and Ciman ensured Belgium won, but manager Marc Wilmots will know they dodged a bullet at a crucial moment in their Euro 2016 plans.

The victory means Belgium are now unbeaten in their last three outings heading into the European Championship, but OptaJohan highlighted the double snap of goals that saved their blushes:

The Brussels hosts needed 89 minutes to get their only goal in a 1-1 draw against Finland last Wednesday, but it took Lukaku just three minutes to get his team on the scoreboard this time around.

OptaJohan attested to the Everton striker building up some momentum as he prepares for Euro 2016, where Group E opponents Italy, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland may well be wary of the threat coming their way:

His strong start to the international summer also comes after a goal-laden season at Goodison Park, albeit one in which he took his time to get up and running at optimum speed, per Squawka:

Lukaku had come on as a 79th-minute substitute before scoring just 10 minutes later against Finland, which means the front man now has two goals in a little more than 15 minutes of international play.

Norway had plans to rain on his parade. Radja Nainggolan was dispossessed in his own half after 21 minutes, and burglar Stefan Johansen spread an incisive through ball to King on the left, whose fine finish earned the praise of ESPN FC's Mark Rodden:

The visiting party held their own for the remainder of the half, and after such a frenzied start, Belgium didn't look as likely to dominate proceedings with 45 minutes left to play.

Just as it took Belgium just three minutes to open the scoring, Norway took their turn in claiming the initiative after the restart. A quick flurry of chances for the hosts eventually saw Norway break, and Berisha sizzled in an effort from just outside the box, as shown by the official Euro 2016 Twitter account:

"

What a finish! Berisha makes it 2-1 for Norway v Belgium #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/tFQbx1sA0a

— EURO 2016 (@UEFAEuros_2016) June 5, 2016"

Berisha whisked his way past a couple of Belgian defenders and cut in onto his left before lashing a superb effort into Thibaut Courtois' top-left corner. The Chelsea goalkeeper had little chance of stopping the attempt.

Wilmots brought on Marouane Fellaini and Ciman as replacements for Axel Witsel and Jason Denayer, respectively, in response to the setback, but Belgium's advantage in possession was producing little result.

It was then that the hosts turned their advantage into product, however. First, Hazard first headed in the leveller from a terrific Kevin de Bruyne cross. Then, Ciman bundled home a corner to put his side ahead after 73 minutes.

Ciman scored his first international goal in 11 appearances for the Red Devils, but it was Hazard's near-post effort just three minutes prior that saw him pick up his scoring form at an ideal time leading into this summer's European Championship:

Belgium now have a little more than a week to prepare for their Euro 2016 opener against Italy on June 13, and Wilmots will know improvements are necessary if they're to maintain their status as one of the favourites.

With key defenders Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Lombaerts set to miss the tournament through injury, it's become clearer that Belgium's attack will be the X-factor in their tournament hopes.

Post-Match Reaction

Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Associated Press

It wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but Belgium's hard-fought win on Sunday nevertheless gave the players something to be happy about heading into their Euro 2016 nuptials.

And it was the players who took to social media in reaction to the result, where opening scorer Lukaku made sure to thank the fans for the support they showed, via his official Instagram account:

Witsel also took to Twitter to thank the supporters as well as to pat Ciman on the back for his first international goal:

Speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTBF after the match, scorer Hazard also added the team needs more consistency after it had to rely on a second-half comeback on Sunday (h/t Goal's Chris Myson).

He said: "We are showing at times that we are a good team and sometimes we are less good. I know there is quality in the group, but we can do better and we ought to have more good moments. If we make the same efforts as we did in the second half and everyone is available, we can do that."

Belgium won't be resting on their laurels anytime soon, however, as a tough group awaits them in France, and performances are in need of swift improvement if they're to make the knockout stages.