Romelu Lukaku Mocked by Former Croatia Star Ivan Rakitic After World Cup Exit

• Romelu Lukaku has been taunted by former Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic after missing glorious chances in Qatar
• Lukaku fluffed his lines several times to ensure Croatia held on for a point and ensure progression to the knockout stage
• The on-loan Chelsea striker had an evening to forget at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium as Belgium crashed out

Former Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic has savagely mocked Romelu Lukaku after the striker put in a disastrous effort against Croatia.

Belgium crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage four years after reaching the semifinals in Russia.

After uninspiring performances against Canada and Morocco, the Red Devils needed to beat Croatia to advance. Lukaku, who came into the tournament unfit after struggling with injury issues at Inter Milan, started the game on the bench.

Head Coach Roberto Martinez introduced him immediately after the break after a first half that was devoid of clear-cut chances.

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The burly striker immediately impacted the game and had the Croatian defenders on their toes. However, Lukaku spurned chance after chance, including a free header and one on the line as Belgium bowed out.

Lukaku had to be consoled

He was distraught after the final whistle, with former striker Theirry Herny consoling him. Henry is Belgium's assistant coach.

The banter followed on social media as Lukaku angrily hit the dugout area in frustration. Rakitic, a legend with the Croatian team, rubbed it in by asking Lukaku to go to Croatia for an all-expenses one-month paid vacation.

The Sevilla midfielder was alive to the fact that had Lukaku found the back of the net with one of his chances, Croatia, the 2018 finalists could have been the ones to exit the tournament.

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Rakitic was part of the 2018 team that reached the finals before he retired in 2020 from international football.

Lukaku crashed dugout in frustration

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Romelu Lukaku was left distraught following Belgium's shock exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, after a goalless draw with Croatia.

Lukaku was brought on as a second-half substitute as the Red Devils sought to unlock a stubborn Croatia defence marshalled by Josko Gvardiol.

However, the 29-year-old striker would let the entire nation down as he was guilty of profligacy in front of goal, missing four gilt-edge chances.

Where it all went wrong for Belgium

Sports Brief also reported that Belgium's Golden Generation fell short of winning another major title with a shocking group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup.

Roberto Martinez's side were outclassed but survived against Canada, were embarrassed by Morocco, and then frustrated by Croatia.

Martinez has since resigned with nothing to show, save for the long periods Belgium were on top of the FIFA rankings.