Belgium Beat Croatia 2-0 as Lukaku Marks International Return with Stoppage-Time Goal

Belgium shut out Croatia 2-0 away in their final friendly before the World Cup 2026, as of June 2, 2026. Youri Tielemans opened the scoring before half-time. Romelu Lukaku, on as a substitute, sealed it deep in stoppage time . It was a clean, controlled road win against a side that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals — and it stretched Belgium's unbeaten run to 12 matches under coach R. Garcia .

The result sends a clear message heading into Group G: this squad is ready (as of June 2, 2026).

How Belgium won it

Belgium dominated possession at 57%, registering 8 shots with 4 on target. Croatia managed just 5 shots and 1 on target . The structure was evident from the first whistle (as of June 2, 2026).

Tielemans broke the deadlock in the 38th minute (as of June 2, 2026). Maxim De Cuyper found him in the box, and Tielemans finished calmly . It was the kind of composed, patient buildup that defines this team under Garcia.

The second half was more about management than attack. R. Garcia made key substitutions: Romelu Lukaku replaced Charles De Ketelaere, and Axel Witsel came on for Nicolas Raskin . Both changes were deliberate. Lukaku, who entered in the 73rd minute, made his impact count.

In the 90th minute plus six, Hans Vanaken played a long through ball on the counter. Lukaku ran onto it and finished with his left foot . 2-0. Game sealed.

Lukaku's comeback

The stoppage-time goal was more than a stat line. Lukaku had been absent from the Belgium squad for 12 months. He failed to start a single club match for Napoli during the 2025-26 season . Questions about his fitness and his place in the World Cup squad had been circling for months.

One goal does not answer all of them. But coming off the bench in the final warm-up match and scoring the insurance goal — that is a statement. R. Garcia now has a decision to make about Lukaku's role in Group G, but the striker made his case.

The 26-player squad

Belgium's 26-man World Cup squad was announced on May 15, 2026 . Here is the full roster, with club and national-team form over the last 12 months.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Key players to watch in Group G

J. Doku has been immense at Manchester City: 3464 club minutes, 12 goals, 12 assists in 53 appearances. He is the most played Belgian attacker at club level this season. His pace and directness will be critical against Egypt's defensive structure (as of June 2, 2026).

L. Trossard has not featured for Belgium in the last 12 months but logged 2976 minutes at Arsenal with 10 goals and 12 assists. Fresh legs and Premier League sharpness make him a valuable option off the bench — or as a starter if Garcia adjusts his approach (as of June 2, 2026).

H. Vanaken had a standout domestic season at Club Brugge: 4633 minutes, 11 goals, 7 assists. His through ball to Lukaku for the second goal against Croatia showed exactly why he is in this squad (as of June 2, 2026).

T. Courtois is the headliner at goalkeeper. 4545 minutes at Real Madrid, 50 appearances. He did not feature in Belgium's recent national-team windows, but his Champions League pedigree is undeniable (as of June 2, 2026).

The unbeaten run

Belgium have not lost in 12 matches under R. Garcia . The last defeat came against Ukraine in early 2025. Since then: 6 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses. 35 goals scored, 10 conceded across 10 national-team matches. That is a goals-per-match rate of 3.5 (as of June 2, 2026).

Recent results include a 5-2 away win over USA in March and a 7-0 home demolition of Liechtenstein in November . The draw against Mexico (1-1, away) and this 2-0 win over Croatia bookend the final pre-tournament window. Both were on the road. Both were controlled (as of June 2, 2026).

Group G schedule

Belgium open their World Cup 2026 campaign in Group G against Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.

Two of three matches are at neutral venues on the West Coast. The third is in Vancouver. Belgium will travel, but the quality of opposition in Group G — no disrespect intended — is a tier below what they have just handled. Croatia were a World Cup semi-finalist. Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand are beatable.

The 2-0 in Rijeka was the final audition. Belgium passed it .

When does Belgium play their first World Cup 2026 match?

Belgium open against Egypt on June 15, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle . Their second match is against Iran on June 21 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The group stage finishes on June 26 with New Zealand vs Belgium at BC Place in Vancouver.

Who scored in Belgium's 2-0 win over Croatia?

Youri Tielemans scored in the 38th minute after being found in the box by Maxim De Cuyper . Romelu Lukaku sealed the win in the 96th minute with a left-footed finish, assisted by Hans Vanaken's long through ball on the counter .

What does Lukaku's goal mean for Belgium's World Cup squad?

Lukaku had been absent from the national team for 12 months and failed to start a single club match for Napoli this season . His stoppage-time goal on his return gives R. Garcia a proven option up front heading into Group G, even if questions about his match fitness remain.

How strong is Belgium's form heading into the World Cup?

Belgium are unbeaten in 12 matches under R. Garcia, with 6 wins and 4 draws . They have scored 35 goals and conceded 10 in that span. The away win over Croatia — a recent World Cup semi-finalist — was their most significant result of the pre-tournament window (as of June 2, 2026).

Who are Belgium's key attackers for the World Cup 2026?

Jérémy Doku leads Belgium's forward line with 3464 club minutes, 12 goals, and 12 assists at Manchester City this season. Leandro Trossard offers 10 goals and 12 assists from Arsenal. Dodi Lukebakio has 3 national-team goals in just 2 appearances over the last 12 months (as of June 2, 2026).

See the projected squad
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