ROMELU LUKAKU destroyed the dugout with one punch following Belgium’s shock World Cup exit.
Roberto Martinez’s men knew a point was unlikely to be enough in their final group-stage match against Croatia to see them through to the last-16.
And with Morocco beating Canada 2-1 in the other game in Group F, Belgium became aware they needed to find a late goal against the Croats as the contest headed for a stalemate.
They had several good opportunities in the dying moments – including ones which fell to Lukaku – but could not find a winner, and crashed out of the World Cup as a result.
Lukaku, who came into the tournament carrying an injury, showed his frustration after the game, punching the side of the dugout which came loose.
He then headed down the tunnel in tears, but not before Belgium coach Thierry Henry consoled him pitchside.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
BBC pundits Didier Drogba and Alan Shearer were sympathetic with Lukaku – who attempted to save his team despite not being fully fit.
Shearer said: “It will hurt him. He was nowhere near ready, otherwise they would have started him.
“He gave them a focal point. His lack of game time has hurt them.”
And Drogba added: “He is frustrated not only because he missed the goal but because of the spirit of the team during this tournament.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
“All the talk of fights between players. This is what he will be frustrated by more than the missed chances.”
Belgium’s squad togetherness was called into question earlier this week as reports of a dressing room row surfaced.
They were thought to have stemmed from Kevin de Bruyne publicly stating that the squad was too old.
Speaking to The Guardian about Belgium’s chances of winning the competition, the Man City man said: “No chance, we’re too old. I think our chance was 2018. We have a good team, but it is aging.
“We lost some key players. We have some good new players coming, but they are not at the level other players were in 2018.
“I see us more as outsiders.”
Following the game, manager Roberto Martinez announced he was leaving his job.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
