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The Belgian forward hails the Teranga Lions as one of the best teams in the World Cup
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku expressed his delight at his country’s historic comeback against Senegal after he helped overturn a two-goal deficit in a 3-2 extra-time victory to send the Red Devils through to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Lukaku reduced the deficit in the 86th minute to spark a Belgium rally that ended in one of the most exciting games of the tournament, taking his tally to two goals in the current game and 92 in a Belgium shirt.
Lukaku said in a statement highlighted by one of the newspapers after the game HLN:The Belgian. “I’m tired of this type of games,” and then added with a smile. “It was a very tiring match, but we showed character and courage. Wins like this make the group more united and the best for us and our fans.”
The striker of the Belgian team praised the level of the Senegal team, stressing that it is one of the toughest opponents his country has faced in the tournament.
He added: “Senegal is one of the best teams in this World Cup. It has great technical quality, physical strength and clear tactical organization, so the match was very difficult, but in the end the spirit of our group came through, as well as enthusiasm and determination.”
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It was Lukaku’s third substitute appearance of the tournament, but he continued to make a decisive impact every time he came on, prompting him to make an emotional statement about his late father.
“I think my father is helping me from heaven,” she said.
Lukaku also revealed why he missed the decisive penalty in extra-time, despite initially appearing to be the first candidate to take it, before leaving it to his team-mate Youri Thielemans, who was able to take it.
He explained. “Did I want to do it, yes, but mentally I’m not yet ready to take responsibility for such a difficult and crucial moment, so I chose to leave it to Yuri. The team is above everything else.”
