Romelu Lukaku returned to the Belgium national team in style by finding the net for a record-setting 90th time as the Red Devils defeated Croatia 2-0 on the road in a World Cup warm-up friendly.
Key takeaways
- Lukaku scored Belgium’s second goal to extend his international tally to 90.
- Youri Tielemans opened the scoring after capitalising on a defensive mistake.
- Croatia hit the woodwork twice and were denied on another occasion by Thibaut Courtois.
- Both sides made heavy use of substitutes ahead of the World Cup.
- Belgium and Croatia now turn their attention to further warm-up fixtures before their group openers.
Tielemans and Lukaku deliver in Belgium’s away win
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans reacted quickest to a slip at the back to break the deadlock, with Lukaku sealing the result by scoring with the final meaningful effort of the match. It was Lukaku’s first appearance for Belgium in 12 months, and the strike capped a strong return to international football.
The 33-year-old forward burst through and finished emphatically, driving a powerful shot home. The goal came as Belgium looked to move on from a tough spell at club level for Lukaku, who missed starts during the season with Napoli and also dealt with a hamstring problem.
How the goals and key chances unfolded
Tielemans made it 1-0 in the 38th minute. He swept the ball into the net from close range after Croatia failed to clear a square pass played into danger by Jeremy Doku, whose forward run caused the defensive breakdown.
With their World Cup squads in mind, both coaches used plenty of options during the contest. Croatia employed 10 substitutions, while Belgium gave Lukaku a late cameo, bringing him on for the final 18 minutes.
Belgium continued to press after the break. Hans Vanaken, one of the eight substitutes used by Belgium, powered a header from Tielemans’ corner at the 74th minute, but the effort struck the crossbar.
Croatia also threatened the frame of the goal. Ante Budimir struck the woodwork in the second half, and Luka Modric was denied before halftime when Courtois produced a sharp save to keep Belgium in front.
Next warm-ups and World Cup group schedules
Croatia will next play Slovenia in a warm-up match in Varazdin on Sunday. Belgium, meanwhile, host Tunisia in Brussels on Saturday.
Belgium kick off their World Cup Group G campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 15. Croatia begin Group L with a meeting against England in Dallas on June 17.
