Lewandowski treble fires Poland rout as Dzeko says goodbye

Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick as Poland thrashed Romania 6-0 in Warsaw.

The 38-year-old captain opened the scoring from the penalty spot and went on to complete his seventh hat-trick for Poland. It took his tally to 92 international goals on his 170th appearance, according to Polish football chiefs BBC Sport.

Poland were already in control by then. Romania defender Radu Dragusin was sent off in the 22nd minute, and Lewandowski punished them from 12 yards. Piotr Zielinski and Jan Bednarek were also on the scoresheet in a rout at the PGE Narodowy PZPN.

The win was Poland's first in Nations League Group B4, the Nations League being UEFA's tournament for national teams played between World Cups and Euros. Poland sit third in the group. Romania are fourth.

It was a painful start for Gheorghe Hagi. He became the first Romania manager to lose his first three competitive matches in charge.

Lewandowski is now one of only 19 different players to score a Nations League hat-trick UEFA. Poland, led by head coach Jan Urban, needed a night like this. The crowd got one.

There was a farewell in Zenica. Edin Dzeko retired from international football after Bosnia-Herzegovina's 1-1 home draw with Sweden.

The 40-year-old striker made his 152nd appearance and was substituted after 62 minutes to a standing ovation. His Bosnia career spanned nearly 20 years and ended in the Nations League against Sweden UEFA.

Sweden led through Viktor Gyokeres. Kerim Alajbegovic levelled for the hosts to deny the visitors victory.

Elsewhere, Kevin de Bruyne scored twice as Belgium beat Turkey 3-0. Romelu Lukaku got the other goal. The win lifted Belgium to second in Group A1 BBC Sport.

Hungary edged Georgia 1-0 in Budapest. Milos Kerkez scored the only goal. Hungary are third in Group B2, three points behind leaders Northern Ireland.

What makes this stand out is the contrast. One great striker at 38 was piling up goals. Another at 40 was waving goodbye. For fans in Warsaw and Zenica, those are the nights that stick.