Romelu Lukaku marked his return to Belgium with a record-extending 90th international goal as Croatia defeated 2-0 in a World Cup warm-up match on Tuesday.
Captain Youri Tielemans took advantage of a defensive slip to score the opening goal, while Belgium’s all-time top scorer Lukaku struck with the last try of the match in his first game for the national team in 12 months.
Lukaku, 33, broke free and smashed home a powerful strike to end a dismal season at club level with Napoli, where he did not play a single match all season and struggled with a hamstring injury.
Tielemans fired the ball home from close range in the 38th minute after the Croatian defense failed to make a square pass following Jeremy Doku’s marauding run.
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The clash provided an opportunity for both teams’ coaches to field many of their World Cup squads, as Croatia used ten substitutes and Belgium brought on Lukaku for a cameo appearance in the final 18 minutes.
Hans Vanaken, another of eight substitutes used by Belgium, headed Tielemans’ corner against the crossbar in the 74th minute.
Croatian Ante Budimir also hit the crossbar in the second half, while Luka Modric was denied before halftime by a sharp save from Thibaut Courtois.
Croatia will play another warm-up match against neighboring Slovenia in Varazdin on Sunday, while Belgium will host Tunisia in Brussels on Saturday.
At the World Cup, Belgium starts its Group G campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 15, while Croatia’s first match in Group L is against England on June 17 in Dallas.
Published on June 3, 2026
