Lukaku ends the Belgian Golden Generation and sends Croatia to the knockout stage

Belgian so-called Golden Generation ended its less-than-golden tenure with an anonymous exit from the World Cup after a meek goalless draw with Croatia. And the main culprit tonigh is Lukaku.

The Belgian national team has had its good days over the past five or so years, but it proved today that their third-place finish in Russia four years ago was their ceiling. Tonight, they had a chance to send the Croats home from Qatar with a win, but they were effectively killed off by the man who was supposed to be their strongest weapon. Romelu Lukaku missed three chances in the second half, but he couldn't find the net to save his life. As a result, the Golden Generation saw its end in Qatar, while Croatian players rode their luck and were happy to take a point and qualify for the knockout stage.

Croatia though they were handed a terrific chance to go in front after Yannick Carrasco clumsily stamped on Andrej Kramaric in the box. Luka Modric had already placed the ball on the spot, ready to take the penalty, when referee Anthony Taylor got a call from the VAR room. Kramaric was offside in the buildup by the slightest of margins. When the big screens at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan showed the graphical representation of the offside decision, there were thousands of simultaneous sighs and jeers from Croatian fans - but the decision stood.

Dries Mertens, who surprisingly started the match, had the only Belgian chance in the first half, but he fired high and wide from a good position. Coach Roberto Martinez had no choice but to attack with more resolve, so he replaced Mertens with Romelu Lukaku.

The big striker marked a period of Belgian domination with a ferocious shot that bounced off the post. In reality, he should have put it away after Yannick Carrasco has done well to slice the Croatian defence open.

Lukaku had two more late chances, but he couldn't divert Thomas Meunier's strong shot into the net. His latest one was even more unbelievable - he chested the ball down in the goalmouth when he could have just force it over the line.

The final whistle was greeted with Croatian jubilation and Belgian sad realization that they were not Golden after all.

Lukaku's final contribution in this World Cup was a punch which destroyed one of the dugouts after the match. As some fans jokingly noticed on Twitter - he's finally hit the target.

WORLD CUP - Group stage

Thursday, Dec 1st

Canada - Morocco 1-2 (1-2)

/Aguerd 40 og - Ziyach 4, En Nesyri 23/

Croatia - Belgium 0-0 (

22.00: (8.00) Japan (4.40) Spain (1.50) E

22.00: (20.0) Costa Rica (12.0) Germany (1.12) E

Friday, Dec 2nd

18:00: (8.00) S.Korea (4.50) Portugal (1.42) H

18:00: (4.80) Ghana (3.45) Uruguay (1.80) H

22:00: (11.0) Cameroon (5.20) Brazil (1.30) G

22:00: (2.60) Serbia (3.40) Switzerland (2.70) G

***odds are subject to change***