World Cup 2018: 5 players that stood out in the group stage.

Modified Jun 29, 2018 13:43 GMT

Serbia v Brazil: Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia — Phillipe Coutinho

#4 Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)

TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2018-MATCH13-BEL-PAN — Belgium vs Panama: Group G - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

The 25-year-old Manchester United striker leads the Belgian attack as a centre-forward in their 3-4-2-1 attacking formation. Lukaku, being The Red Devils' all-time top goalscorer lead the goal-scoring tally in the World Cup qualifiers by scoring 11 goals and assisting once in 8 matches.

Lukaku takes his team to the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup in Russia by gathering 4 goals to his name in the two matches he played, adding his name to the list of this year's FIFA Golden Boot candidates.

Belgium faced Panama in their opening match of the World Cup where Lukaku scored twice, a header in the 69th minute of the game and a chip-shot 6 minutes later.

In the second match, Tunisia posed no threat to the Belgians as they scored five goals against Tunisia's two. Lukaku scored his second brace of the tournament in his second match. He scored his first goal 16 minutes into the game with a shot to the bottom-right corner of the goal, followed by a chip shot 3 minutes into the first half's injury time.

Romelu was taken off in the 59th minute of the game against Tunisia in fear of an injury and was later confirmed by head coach Roberto Martinez that there is no injury, but Lukaku will take a few days of rest, denying him the chance to play against England in the final match of the group stage.

At the end of the group stage, Lukaku retains his spot in the list of FIFA Golden Boot candidates with 4 goals, alongside Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and below England's Harry Kane.

About the author

Adarsh is an Esports and Gaming writer at Sportskeeda specializing in FPS games like Valorant, Counter-Strike, and Overwatch 2. After joining Sportskeeda in October 2021, he has authored over 750 stories that collectively have garnered 1.5 million views. By meticulously following reputable sources and enhancing his knowledge of the topics he covers, Adarsh eliminates any margin for error, ensuring his readers receive the most accurate information. As a Journalism graduate, these practices are skills he has honed through practical experience.

In addition to his role as a gaming journalist, Adarsh managed the Valorant, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), and Overwatch 2 departments at Sportskeeda for nearly two years. He also serves as an Esports and Gaming Editor, boasting over a year of experience in this capacity. A significant milestone in his career involves attending various international Valorant events and conducting more than 150 interviews with some of the top talents in esports.

Adarsh's gaming journey began at the age of 3 when his parents introduced him to Roadrash. While he was too young to play independently, his parents assisted him in savoring every aspect of the game. Fast forward twenty years, Adarsh continues to exhibit a passion for video games, particularly competitive and tactical FPS titles. As a result of his fondness for football, he is a devoted fan of the EA Sports FIFA or FC series as well.

During his leisure time, Adarsh indulges in reading books and watching sports. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he is an ardent football enthusiast. He also takes pleasure in watching basketball, tennis, MMA, and poker, actively participating in these sports as well. Furthermore, Adarsh harbors a deep-seated love for cinema, enjoying the exploration and dissection of its complexities.

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Edited by Zeeshan Ali