Romelu Lukaku
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Two goal contributions off bench
Lukaku scored one goal and assisted once from one shot and one chance created in Friday's 5-1 win over New Zealand.
Analysis: Lukaku came off the bench and found the net in the 86th minute, restoring Belgium's three-goal cushion with a towering header just two minutes after New Zealand had pulled one back. The goal also made him Belgium's all-time leading World Cup scorer with six, breaking Marc Wilmots' previous record of five. He wasn't done there, turning provider in stoppage time by teeing up Alexis Saelemaekers for Belgium's fifth goal with the final kick of the match. Lukaku's game-changing cameo put the finishing touches on a dominant 5-1 victory that sent Belgium into the Round of 32 as Group G winners.
Limited in minutes
Lukaku is unlikely to start Saturday's group stage finale against New Zealand as he isn't fully fit and coach Rudi Garcia confirmed he started the last against Iran only due to the situation of Charles De Ketelaere, according to RTBF. "If Romelu started against the Iranians, it's because Charles couldn't start. That's why Charles didn't come on either. We're going to get him back. Romelu can't play a whole match. Either he'll start or he'll come on. But in any case, he's doing well."
Analysis: Lukaku made his first start for club or country in more than a year against Iran, logging one shot over 73 minutes before being substituted as Belgium continue to carefully manage his workload. With the Red Devils needing goals in a must-win matchup, his minutes remain a key storyline. Charles De Ketelaere is expected to reclaim his spot in the starting XI against New Zealand, with Lukaku likely to come off the bench later in the match as the most probable scenario.
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