Romelu Lukaku scored his debut goal as Roma went seven past Empoli

Romelu Lukaku scored his first Roma goal in the Serie A in Sunday's 7-0 win against Empoli. This was Roma's first victory of the Serie A season. The Belgium forward scored Roma's sixth goal in the 82nd minute after the Argentinian Paulo Dybala got off the mark for the season with a brace. Renato Sanches, Bryan Cristante, and Gianluca Mancini also registered their names on the scoresheet. They ensured a rout against pointless, and goalless Empoli. It helped move Roma up to the 12th spot with four points.

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Romelu Lukaku made his first start alongside Dybala. On loan from Chelsea, Lukaku made a substitute appearance in Roma's loss to AC Milan before the international break. He had a largely low-key evening against Empoli apart from his simple finish from Andrea Belotti's pass.

"It's obviously important for strikers to score goals," said coach Jose Mourinho to DAZN. "It was perfect for him as he scored in front of his fans and he left the field happy. He needs to feel loved and wanted. He's come here and he felt immediately that the team needed him," he added.

The Argentina forward would have ended the night with a hat-trick had his free-kick not smashed the crossbar. But moments after that, he was substituted. The match seemed to be rolling towards an otherwise uneventful end but Cristante started a late flurry in the 79th minute when he drove home Roma's fifth goal from long range. The stage was set for Lukaku to lap up the applause of fans and he owned it with his debut Roma goal.