World Cup 2022: Romelu Lukaku Blamed for Costing Belgium a Place in the Round of 16

• Romelu Lukaku has been blamed for costing Belgium a place in the Round of 16 by missing several point-blank opportunities
• The Inter Milan striker missed four big chances, which if he had scored, would have seen the Red Devils reach the Round of 16
• With most of the Golden Generation in their 30s, this is likely the last World Cup together for the likes of Lukaku, De Bruyne and Hazard

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has been slammed for costing Belgium a place in the last 16. He missed several golden opportunities to score in the second half.

A win would've seen the Red Devils progress to the Round of 16, but the writing was on the wall for this Belgian side.

They were dominated by Canada in their first match, but managed to squeeze in a narrow 1-0 win. They faced a solid Moroccan side in their second game and were simply outplayed.

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Big players like Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard failed to turn up, and their supposed Golden Generation is probably over. Lukaku can be forgiven as he was still not fully fit, but the chances he missed after coming on in the second half were astounding.

Lukaku rues chances missed

Fans were livid and shocked that Lukaku couldn't convert the chances he had. In total, he missed three opportunities to score and to make matters worse, most were at point-blank range.

Fans on Twitter were as unforgiving as could be expected.

"Lukaku cost Belgium this match, he missed 3 solid sitters that could have won Belgium the match. The guy is cursed, nothing you can tell me."

"Lukaku single handy cost his country progress at this World Cup. Michy takes at least ONE of those chances"

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"Lukaku cost Belgium a space in the round of 16. He should be thinking of retirement or just take time off to work on his head space!!!"

Others were baffled by Lukaku's finishing, saying he probably didn't have the match sharpness.

"Lukaku praying tribute to Timo Werner who missed the World Cup. Respect."

"If I was Thierry Henry I'd be out of the stadium by now and on my way to the airport, don't want your coaching career combined with your legacy as an elite striker to be attached to that Lukaku performance."

"Lukaku isn't switched on at all, every ball that comes towards him, he seems to only register when it's a foot away from him and by then it's too late for him to properly react."

The stats painted a horrible picture for the Inter Milan striker.

"No player has missed more Big Chances at the entire 2022 World Cup than Romelu Lukaku did in 45 minutes against Croatia (4)."

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It remains to be seen what will happen to the golden generation. We will probably see a few retirement announcements, but for Belgians, this will go down as an underwhelming showing on the biggest stage.

Martinez and his side reached the semis in 2018, losing to eventual winners France, but it remains to be seen if the team will be scratched or run back again.

Lukaku misses big chance

Sports Brief earlier reported on Lukaku missing a big chance for Belgium early in the second half versus Croatia.

Lukaku, who was brought on to unlock the resilient Croatia defence, ended up missing a glorious opportunity that could have given the Red Devils a fighting chance.

In photos shared on social media, seen by Sports Brief, the burly striker was presented with an open goal chance but ended up missing his target with a wayward effort.