Mikhail Gordeichuk brace helps Belarus defeat Luxembourg

Mikhail Gordeichuk scored in each half as Belarus beat Luxembourg 2-0 on Tuesday at the Borisov Arena to clinch their second win in Euro 2016 qualifying.

The BATE Borisov midfielder, playing at his club's stadium, put the home side ahead in the 34th minute before adding his second of the night in the 62nd minute as Belarus clinched their first win in six competitive home games.

The victory has lifted fourth-place Belarus three points clear of Luxembourg, who are fifth in the pool.

Both sides went into the contest with no chance of qualifying from Group C - each had mustered just four points from seven games.

Luxembourg, who had beaten FYR Macedonia 1-0 on Saturday for their first success in qualifying, went behind 11 minutes before half-time.

Sergei Kornilenko's shot was blocked by a Luxembourg defender and the ball fell to Gordeichuk, who struck a left-footed shot from the heart of the area towards the bottom right corner and out of goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert's reach.

The visitors could have pulled level in the 56th minute but Tom Schnell's header from Mario Mutsch's cross went wide.

Just several minutes later, Gordeichuk made no mistake for Belarus.

After good work from his team-mates, he surged into the area before drilling a low shot past Joubert.