The FIFA World Cup is undeniably the biggest stage in all of soccer with the whole world watching. Players undoubtedly want to be at their best and have a chance to be a hero for their teams and their nations. But as Belgium star striker Romelu Lukaku found out on Thursday, you can quickly become a scapegoat, too.
With a scoreless draw to Croatia on Thursday afternoon, Belgium was officially eliminated from the World Cup. All the team needed was one goal to secure a victory and advance out of the group, and Lukaku could not provide, despite plenty of golden opportunities.
Lukaku was subbed on just after the half to provide Belgium an offensive boost in the second half. He had several wide-open shots in front of the net on Thursday afternoon, but unfortunately for Belgium, he missed every single one of them.
OFF THE POST 😱
How was this not a goal for Belgium?! pic.twitter.com/ED1fCwWGE0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
What a chance for Lukaku 😬 pic.twitter.com/uxD6XogOvF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
HOW WAS THIS NOT A GOAL FOR BELGIUM?! 😱
Lukaku with another massive miss pic.twitter.com/t07SuTTqTz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
Another look at this late chance by Lukaku and Belgium 👀 pic.twitter.com/1zBMOxwdYD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
Lukaku didn’t find the the back of the net, despite several golden chances in the second half. And as a result, the soccer world absolutely blasted him for it on social media.
Belgium need a goal.
Lukaku missed this. 😲 pic.twitter.com/O4s2gtAXov
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 1, 2022
Lukaku today: pic.twitter.com/69G1mWt5FE
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) December 1, 2022
ONE POINT SIX SEVEN (1.67) xG missed from Lukaku in 45 minutes off football.
Hall of shame World Cup performance, wow.
— VisualGame (@avisualgame) December 1, 2022
Belgium trying to get Lukaku to score . #CROBEL https://t.co/dCkwhg3yQW
— Aftab🇦🇷🇲🇦 (@aft__tb) December 1, 2022
Lukaku VS Croatia highlights 2022 HDpic.twitter.com/PLlUAmgeyA
— Danny (@DannyAarons) December 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/TrollFootball/status/1598363856832958464?s=20&t=WREf5gMASpIO-882pkxkqA
As a result of Lukaku’s absolutely brutal misses in huge moments, Belgium was knocked out of the tournament while Mococco and Croatia advanced.
