Lukaku misses chances as Belgium crashed out of World Cup

Former Manchester United striker, Romelu Lukaku, hit a post and missed a string of chances as Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup with their 0-0 draw with Croatia on Thursday.

The goalless draw sent Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, into the last 16 of the World Cup with Group F winners, Morocco.

Belgium finished third four years ago and led the world rankings until recently but Roberto Martinez’s ageing squad were well off the pace in Qatar, and despite an improvement in the second half which led to a series of openings for Lukaku, they couldn’t come up with the win they needed due to Morocco’s victory over Canada.

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Half-time substitute Lukaku shot against the inside of the post when the goal was gaping, headed over from a Kevin De Bruyne cross, flicked wide from close range, chested the ball to the goalkeeper from inside the six-yard box and was beaten to a loose ball by Josko Gvardiol from a similar distance.

The striker, on loan at Inter Milan from Chelsea, had another chance in the 87th minute, deflecting the ball wide from Thomas Meunier’s volley.

At full-time, Belgium’s record scorer broke down in the arms of coach Thierry Henry and then punched a panel out of the dugout in frustration – but his team-mates had once again been below par themselves, with only an extremely tight – and reviewed – offside call denying Croatia a penalty in the opening 45 and Thibaut Courtois made to work in the second period.

Croatia, however, progress to the last 16 of the World Cup along with Group F winners Morocco, who beat already-eliminated Canada 2-1.

Belgium are knocked out of the World Cup, finishing third a point behind Croatia.

The Star