Romelu Lukaku misses FOUR costly sitters in one half as Belgium crash out of the World Cup
Romelu Lukaku missed FOUR huge chances as Belgium crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage.
Roberto Martinez's men beat 1-0 Canada in their first Group F fixture but then lost out to Morocco, who scored twice late in the second half.
And with the North African side defeating Canada in their final outing, Belgium needed to beat Croatia in order to progress to the round of 16.
They were let off the hook in the first half as a controversial offside call denied Luka Modric the chance to put Croatia 1-0 up from the spot.
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Lukaku entered the fray at half-time as Belgium searched for that all-important goal and had at least FOUR massive opportunities fall to him.
But the Red Devils' record goalscorer was incredibly wasteful when it mattered most. He smashed one against the post when the ball dropped kindly to him inside the area after a scramble.
Romelu Lukaku can't believe it! π²
β BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 1, 2022
The post denies π§πͺ Belgium a crucial goal βπ¬
π¨ Warning signs for Croatia! π¨
πΊπ»π² Watch on @BBCOne & @BBCiPlayer, listen on @BBCSounds and via the @BBCSport app#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball
He was in utter disbelief as to how he had not found the net and that continued minutes later.
Lukaku again had his hands on his head after heading over the bar from just yards out when an open goal was presented to him.
But that wasn't all as Lukaku's barren run in front of goal kept going.
Another chance for Belgium. Another missed opportunity.
β BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 1, 2022
Is it going to happen for the Red Devils? π¬
πΊπ»π² Watch on @BBCOne & @BBCiPlayer, listen on @BBCSounds and via the @BBCSport app#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball
The goal was gaping again when Lukaku snuck in at the far post from a Thorgan Hazard cross, yet he misjudged the flight of the ball and somehow could only chest it into the grateful clutches of goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
πΈ - Lukaku with an insane miss.. pic.twitter.com/bNi5WlpEJ8
β ππ π ππππ π (@TheEuropeanLad) December 1, 2022
His 'disasterclass' of a display saw him set an unwanted record as no other player in this year's tournament has missed more big chances in a game.
He was consoled by Belgium assistant manager Thierry Henry after the game.
Belgium finished third in the 2018 showpiece but have now been sent home early from Qatar, with their 'Golden Generation' era officially over.
It was reported that the players got into it in the dressing room after the Morocco loss so you have to wonder what the atmosphere is like now that they've been eliminated.
Topics:Β Romelu Lukaku, Belgium, Football World Cup
Josh Lawless