VIDEO – Romelu Lukaku’s misses that cost Belgium qualification against Croatia

Her tears at the final whistle speak for themselves. Romelu Lukaku was cursed this Thursday. On the bench at kick-off the decisive match against Croatia, the Belgium striker could have qualified his team for the round of 16 of the World Cup. He had the opportunities to become the hero of the Red Devils. Two, in particular.

First on one of the first Belgian incursions into the Croatian camp, just on the hour mark, after an action initiated by Kevin de Bruyne. The Manchester City playmaker sent a bright opening to Yannick Carrasco, who came up against Dominik Livakovic. The Croatian goalkeeper, however, could only push back the leather on Romelu Lukaku, who entered the game a few minutes earlier, thus leaving the field open to the striker of the Red Devils to open the scoring even if several defenders of Croatia had returned in front of the goal . But the powerful strike from the Inter player crashed into the inside of the post before fleeing the frame.

An already incredible miss, but the second was perhaps even more surreal. Lukaku had already just missed the target, in the 87th minute of play. Three minutes later, on a cross from the right Thorgan Hazard, Livakovic and one of his defenders holed up, leaving the Red Devils striker, alone at the far post, a golden opportunity to give victory to his team. But, surprised, Lukaku saw the ball bounce off him without managing to push her into the back of the net, when he was just in front of the goal line. It was Belgium’s last chance. Held in check by Croatia (0-0), she is eliminated from the World Cup. And his centre-forward is certainly not about to digest it…