Romelu Lukaku etched his name into FIFA World Cup history as Belgium stormed into the quarter-finals with a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States, becoming the first player ever to score as a substitute in four different World Cup matches.The prolific striker came off the bench late in the second half and needed just one shot to make his mark, firing Belgium’s fourth goal in stoppage time to cap another ruthless cameo. It also extended an astonishing run of efficiency for the veteran forward, who has now scored with his only shot in each of his last three World Cup appearances — against New Zealand, Senegal and now the United States.While Charles De Ketelaere stole the headlines with two goals and an assist, Lukaku’s late strike ensured he entered the tournament’s record books as Belgium set up a blockbuster quarter-final clash against Spain.Romelu Lukaku in his last three World Cup matches
- vs New Zealand: 1 shot, 1 goal
- vs Senegal: 1 shot, 1 goal
- vs USA: 1 shot, 1 goal
Belgium punish defensive errors
The United States entered the knockout clash boosted by the availability of Folarin Balogun after FIFA controversially lifted his one-match suspension, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side never recovered from a series of costly defensive mistakes.Belgium took the lead in the eighth minute when De Ketelaere finished off a flowing move before Malik Tillman briefly restored parity with a superb free-kick in the 31st minute.The celebrations barely lasted a minute. Just 61 seconds after the restart, De Ketelaere headed Belgium back in front before turning provider for Hans Vanaken, whose effort followed a costly error from goalkeeper Matt Freese early in the second half.Lukaku, introduced in the 67th minute, completed the rout in stoppage time after Chris Richards surrendered possession, calmly finishing for his 93rd international goal.
Pochettino rues missed opportunity
The defeat ended another promising World Cup campaign for the co-hosts, who once again fell at the Round of 16 hurdle.“Everyone saw from the beginning we didn’t connect with the game,” US coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the match. “It’s a process to learn. We need to assess that game and we need to see why we didn’t approach the game in the same way that (we approached) the rest of the World Cup.”The defeat also extended an unwanted trend for the Americans. The USA have now been eliminated in the Round of 16 in six of their seven appearances at that stage of the FIFA World Cup, including each of their last four knockout appearances.Belgium, meanwhile, stretched their unbeaten run to 18 matches and advanced to face 2010 champions Spain in the quarter-finals.For Lukaku, however, the night belonged to history. One substitute appearance, one shot and one goal was all he needed to become the first player to score as a substitute in four different FIFA World Cup matches, underlining once again why he remains one of international football’s most devastating impact players.
