Belgium's Romelu Lukaku in action during a World Cup warm-up fixture against Croatia. | Photo Credit: AP

Romelu Lukaku marked his return to the Belgium side with a ​record-extending 90th international goal as it beat Croatia ‌2-0 away in a World Cup warm-up ​friendly on Tuesday.

Captain Youri Tielemans took ⁠advantage of a defensive slip to score the opening goal, while Belgium’s all-time top scorer Lukaku struck with ‌the last effort of the match in his first game for the national ‌side in 12 months.

The 33-year-old Lukaku broke ‌away ⁠and slammed home a powerful strike ⁠to set about expunging a dismal campaign at club level with Napoli, where he failed to start a single ​match all season and ‌struggled with a hamstring injury.

Tielemans swept home the ball from close range in the 38th minute after the Croatia defence failed to ‌clear a square pass following Jeremy Doku’s ​marauding run.

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The clash provided both teams’ coaches with an opportunity to field a ⁠large number of their World Cup-bound squads, as Croatia used 10 substitutes and Belgium brought on ‌Lukaku for a cameo appearance in the last 18 minutes.

Hans Vanaken, another of the eight subs that Belgium used, headed Tielemans’ 74th-minute corner against the crossbar.

Croatia’s Ante Budimir also struck the crossbar in the second half, while Luka ‌Modric was denied before halftime by Thibaut Courtois’ sharp ​save.

Croatia will have another warm-up game against neighbour Slovenia in Varazdin on Sunday, ⁠while Belgium hosts Tunisia in Brussels on Saturday.

At the ⁠World Cup, Belgium begins its Group G campaign against Egypt in Seattle on ‌June 15, while Croatia’s first match in Group L is against England in Dallas on ​June 17.

Published on Jun 03, 2026