Romelu Lukaku took his anger out on a dugout window after Belgium were eliminated out of the World Cup in Qatar.
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The Chelsea star, currently on loan at Inter Milan, missed several chances in the clash as Belgium were held to a goalless draw by Croatia in their last group game.
The result ensures Belgium – who came third in Russia four years ago – finish third in Group F and leave the World Cup before the knockout stages.
Belgium secured a narrow victory over Canada in their first game of the World Cup before suffering a defeat to Morocco.
Roberto Martinez’s side, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, produced another poor performance against Croatia when a win would have sent them through to the last 16.
Lukaku, who struggled last campaign after a £97.5m move to Stamford Bridge, missed numerous opportunities to send his country through after coming on as a half-time substitute.
The Chelsea striker struck the post, headed over, poked wide and reacted too late when presented with an open goal in stoppage time.
Lukaku broke down in tears after the match and was consoled by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who is part of Martinez’s coaching team.
But the player’s sorrow soon turned to anger as he punched a dugout window on his way to the dressing room, dislodging a piece of glass in the process.
While Belgium are heading home, Croatia secured the point they needed to progress as Group F runners-up, as Morocco sealed top spot with a 2-1 victory over Canada.
Lukaku finally hits the targetpic.twitter.com/SHFbEffyVB
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 1, 2022
Belgium manager Martinez, who later confirmed he was resigning, said: ‘It’s not easy to win games in the World Cup. We weren’t ourselves in first game we had a deserved defeat in second game.
‘Today we were ready, we created opportunities and today there is no regrets. We’re out but we can leave with our heads held high.
‘We wanted to get through but I’m sure the other national teams wanted to get through and that’s the tournament.
‘In the previous World Cup we won three games in the group stage, we wanted to go all the way.’
Assessing Belgium’s display at the World Cup, former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas said: ‘Belgium’s campaign as a whole hasn’t been good enough.
‘They threw everything at it in the end but the experience of this Croatia side just about got them over the line.
‘Distraught players in that Belgium side but when they look at themselves in the mirror they’ll realise it just was not good enough and that it why they’re out.’
