Shortly after Belgium’s 2-0 victory over Romania at Euro 2024, it seemed time for Kevin de Bruyne to give consolation and support for his team’s much-maligned striker Romelu Lukaku, who had two goals disallowed by VAR
“For me, he has scored three goals today although two didn’t count. He played a great game with the team benefitting,” the Manchester City midfielder emphasised.
The recipient of De Bruyne’s statement might not have felt overwhelmingly happy, as Lukaku, after two rounds of group matches, has earned the dubious title of the player with the most goals disallowed by a VAR decision.
Two strikes against Slovakia (off-side and handball), were followed by a third when Belgium beat Romania 2-0.
While celebrations on and off the pitch were on the way with the striker taking part, an animation proved that the 31-year-old Roma striker had been narrowly in an offside position. Instead of three goals to his name, a cold zero decorates his statistics.
Next to De Bruyne, other teammates came up with support for the beleaguered striker.
“Romelu will score many goals for us at the Euros,” said goalkeeper Koen Casteels while winger Jeremy Doku said that tight decisions were “not going in our way at present. But the time will come when they do.”
With 85 goals in 117 games, Lukaku might have already achieved his lifetime goal of becoming Belgium’s top scorer, but Euro 2024 seems a special challenge. Some time ago, Lukaku outlined his motivation to The Players Tribune.
“One day I realised we were poor and had run out of money,” he said after seeing his mother adding water to the milk for his cereal. “I promised her to make it up in professional football."
His African roots go back to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his parents were born before immigrating to Belgium.
“I not only wanted to be good in football. Not just great; I wanted to be the best,” he said.
Playing against Ukraine in Stuttgart this upcoming Wednesday might deliver further opportunities to score.
After two rounds of matches, a rare situation in the group is a cause of great excitement for fans, as all four teams have three points.
It seems a great opportunity lies ahead of Lukaku to score goals that not only look fantastic but hold greater significance for the team.