“Lukaku reaches 90 goals for Belgium in the victory over Croatia.”

Belgium asserts itself with authority in Croatia as Lukaku reaches historic mark with the Red Devils

In a tough test ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Belgian national team confirmed its status as a contender by showcasing solid and effective football in a 2-0 victory against Croatia in Rijeka. This performance not only raises expectations for the tournament in North America, now expanded to 48 teams, but also marks a moment of glory for Romelu Lukaku, who scored his 90th goal for Belgium, solidifying his status as a living legend of the Red Devils.

Croatia, the runner-up in the 2018 World Cup and third place in 2022, fell short of its usual competitive level and was unable to counter Belgium’s dominance. The first goal came seven minutes before halftime when Youri Tielemans precisely finished a quick play, paving the way for the victory. This lead was extended in stoppage time, thanks to Lukaku, who, in a swift transition, struck accurately for the final 2-0. This victory keeps Belgium unbeaten in 12 matches and boosts the confidence of Rudi Garcia, the team’s coach, ahead of the final test before the World Cup, scheduled for Saturday against Tunisia.

In a surprising turn of events, the Ghana national team let victory slip away in a bitter 1-1 draw against Wales, in a match marked by a late goal from their opponents. Caleb Yirenkyi opened the scoring in the 66th minute, following an incomplete save by goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who had blocked a shot from Ernest Nuamah. However, it was Lewis Koumas who headed in the equalizer in the 94th minute, thwarting Carlos Queiroz’s hopes for his first win in charge of Ghana.

In Rabat, Morocco left no chances for Madagascar, reduced to ten players, winning 4-0 in a friendly match that served to boost the confidence of the North African team ahead of their trip to North America. Ismael Saibari, in the spotlight and seen as a potential signing for Bayern Munich, scored two goals in the first half, showing excellent form for the upcoming challenges.

With these performances, the European and African teams are fine-tuning their preparations for a World Cup that promises intense emotions, where Belgium wants, more than ever, to correct the mistakes of the past and fight for a prominent place on the global stage. Lukaku, with his historic mark, is one of the team’s main hopes for this to happen.

This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).

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