It hasn’t always been a smooth ride for Romelu Lukaku, but Belgium’s record goalscorer added another milestone to his remarkable career on Friday, becoming his country’s highest scorer in FIFA World Cup
history.
Lukaku reached the landmark during Belgium’s emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver, a result that secured top spot in Group G and a place in the round of 32.
Belgium needed a convincing win to leapfrog Egypt on goal difference, and they delivered. Leandro Trossard scored twice, while Kevin De Bruyne and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net. Lukaku, introduced from the bench late in the game, made an instant impact.
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goat nomor 3 ini romelu lukaku pic.twitter.com/gAaOP3iM57— unmag (@unmagnetism) June 27, 2026
Moments after Elijah Just pulled one back for New Zealand to make it 3-1, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco sent on Lukaku. The striker needed just one touch, rising unmarked to head home Belgium’s fourth goal and restore the Red Devils to the top of the live standings.
The goal was significant beyond the result. It was Lukaku’s sixth at a FIFA World Cup, taking him past Marc Wilmots to become Belgium’s outright leading scorer in the tournament’s history.
Lukaku’s Long Winding Road To Glory
The strike also capped another chapter in a career that has rarely followed a straight path.
Lukaku burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation at Anderlecht before earning a high-profile move to Chelsea in 2011. Although his first spell in England failed to live up to expectations, he rebuilt his reputation through successful spells across Europe’s top leagues.
Now leading the line for Napoli, Lukaku played a key role in guiding the club to the 2024-25 Serie A title and remains one of the league’s most influential forwards.
On the international stage, his numbers are even more extraordinary. Belgium’s all-time leading scorer has now amassed 90 goals in 125 appearances and sits fifth on the list of men’s international football’s highest goalscorers.
