The 2022 FIFA World Cup just had its first shocking exit in the group stage, and it came down to a match that will haunt Romelu Lukaku for a long time.
Belgium — needing a win against Croatia to move on to the knockout round — saw its World Cup end on Thursday in a scoreless draw. But really, it should have been a match that Belgium won with no issue.
Lukaku, who has had a tumultuous couple years with Chelsea and now Inter Milan, was brought on in the second half to do what he’s done best for Belgium his entire international career: score goals. And to Lukaku’s credit, he got himself in excellent positions to do just that.
Just for whatever reason, he simply could not get the ball in the net. His first golden opportunity came 15 minutes into the second half where his open look at goal hit off the post.
What a chance for Lukaku 😬 pic.twitter.com/uxD6XogOvF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
Lukaku would miss an open header that wouldn’t have counted anyway, but he’d have two more opportunities that he couldn’t convert.
Another chance for Belgium! 😳
Will they find the back of the net before the final whistle? pic.twitter.com/tP85kcoBrq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
No chance was easier than this 90th-minute sitter right in front of goal.
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
You really have to feel for Lukaku who was understandably devastated after the match and was consoled by Thierry Henry.
Thierry Henry comforts an emotional Lukaku pic.twitter.com/7dmZVRwMf3
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
For the past eight years, Belgium had enjoyed an unprecedented golden generation of talent, and Lukaku was a huge part of that group. But Thursday’s match — in what could be Lukaku’s final World Cup appearance — will be impossible to get over for the Belgian striker.
This was how Twitter reacted
Jokes aside… this has to be the toughest moment for Lukaku. It was all there and just couldn’t get it done. Don’t envy that feeling. https://t.co/NL7YSC0oEZ
— Karel (@kingKARELcc) December 1, 2022
Keep this image in mind before letting off those Lukaku jokes you just swear you need to make. A man fails on the world stage after the brutal past 18 months he's had and social media's response is to pile on and make it worse. Humanity should come first. https://t.co/rcVEV8IhOq
— Victor Olorunfemi (@VicOlorunfemi10) December 1, 2022
Devastating https://t.co/Ss0N5MITpf
— Millsy (@millsy021) December 1, 2022
Oh cmon man. You only disappointed millions of people and your country https://t.co/2mstY35fEm
— Bruce🇲🇽 (@NotHoustonBruve) December 1, 2022
All jokes aside, this is sad to see https://t.co/NXV1YZ3GMu
— christian (@christiaaaan7) December 1, 2022
He should’ve simply scored the easy chances he had https://t.co/AqzND6uCAr
— Diego Chacon-Reina (@DChacon31) December 1, 2022
Gotta feel for the man though. Had an absolute nightmare performance. Will haunt him for a long time. https://t.co/o6vdYptwDN
— Meanish (@MrBazingaa) December 1, 2022
Dude had a VERY bad day at the office. https://t.co/Hp8bDBCvga
— Jake White (@TheJakeWhite) December 1, 2022
I’m so sad for him, the whole team could’ve done so much better 😩😭🇧🇪 https://t.co/m2Mxnv2reZ
— A. (◕‿◕) (@VanneCullenLutz) December 1, 2022