Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said on Tuesday that Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku scoring on his first international appearance in more than a year in a 2-0 World Cup friendly win over Croatia was “ideal”. Lukaku found the net in the 96th minute in Rijeka, having been missing since September 2025 due to injury in the Red Devils’ penultimate match before their tournament opener against Egypt on June 15. The 33-year-old has played just 64 minutes for his club this season due to a hip niggle.
“This is ideal for Romelu, but also ideal for the team,” Belgium captain Youri Tielemans told VTM. “We know how important he is to the group. He is sharp and mentally everything is fine too. We are going to need him very badly,” Aston Villa midfielder Tielemans added.
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Croatia, World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, and a strong side including captain Luka Modric wearing a mask due to injury, end their own World Cup preparations by hosting Slovenia on Sunday. They begin their World Cup campaign against England on June 17.
On the Adriatic coast, Lukaku was named on the bench with coach Rudi Garcia starting Atalanta midfielder Charles De Ketelaere in the attacking role. Garcia’s side led 1-0 at the break thanks to an effort from Tielemans after 38 minutes. A shot from Modric just before the interval was Croatia’s biggest chance of the first half, before Osasuna striker Ante Budimir hit the bar near the hour mark.
Belgium doubled their lead in injury time as Lukaku claimed his 90th international goal before they host Tunisia on Saturday.
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