Lukaku returns in style with 90th goal for Belgium
- Hans Vanaken, another of the eight subs that Belgium used, headed Tielemans’ 74th-minute corner against the crossbar
RIJEKA: Romelu Lukaku marked his return to the Belgium side with a record-extending 90th international goal as they beat Croatia 2-0 away in their World Cup warm-up friendly on Tuesday.
Captain Youri Tielemans took advantage of a defensive slip to score the opening goal while Belgium’s all-time top scorer Lukaku struck with the last effort of the match in his first game for the national side in 12 months.
The 33-year-old Lukaku broke away and slammed home a powerful strike to set about expunging a dismal campaign at club level with Napoli where he failed to start a single match all season and struggled with a hamstring injury.
Tielemans swept home the ball from close range in the 38th minute after the Croatia defence failed to clear a square pass following Jeremy Doku’s marauding run.
The clash provided both teams’ coaches with an opportunity to field a large number of their World Cup-bound squads, as Croatia used 10 substitutes and Belgium brought on Lukaku for a cameo appearance in the last 18 minutes.
Hans Vanaken, another of the eight subs that Belgium used, headed Tielemans’ 74th-minute corner against the crossbar.
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Croatia’s Ante Budimir also struck the crossbar in the second half, while Luka Modric was denied before halftime by Thibaut Courtois’ sharp save.
Croatia will have another warm-up game against neighbours Slovenia in Varazdin on Sunday, while Belgium host Tunisia in Brussels on Saturday.
At the World Cup, Belgium begin their Group G campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 15, while Croatia’s first match in Group L is against England in Dallas on June 17.
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