Romelu Lukaku has not had the Euro 2024 campaign he hoped for with Belgium. Despite his best efforts, his performances have been disappointing, especially in front of goal. The Belgian team managed to reach the last 16, but their performance in the tournament has left much to be desired. This was particularly evident during their 0-0 draw against Ukraine on Wednesday, where they struggled to create chances and Lukaku failed to score despite several opportunities.

Romelu Lukaku’s misfortune for Belgium

Lukaku's troubles began in Belgium’s opening match against Slovakia. He thought he had opened his account when he tapped in a rebound from Amadou Onana’s shot. However, his joy was short-lived as the goal was ruled out for offside, leading to frustration. Later in the same game, another potential equalizer was disallowed because Lois Openda was deemed to have handled the ball in the build-up.

The next game against Romania saw Lukaku’s frustrations continue. He found the back of the net once again and started celebrating, only for VAR to intervene and disallow the goal for a marginal offside. This was the third time in the tournament that one of his goals had been chalked off by VAR, adding to his growing sense of frustration.

The numbers tell the story of Lukaku's difficult tournament. He has missed the most big chances (6) and has had the most shots on target (7) without scoring. Additionally, his three disallowed goals highlight the narrow margins that have worked against him in this tournament. These statistics emphasize the challenges Lukaku has faced in trying to help Belgium with goals.

Lukaku’s frustration is evident, but it is not due to a lack of effort. He has been active in the matches, often finding himself in good positions to score. However, luck has not been on his side, with tight offside calls and minor infringements wiping out his efforts. These fine margins in football can be cruel, especially when a player is desperately seeking to make an impact.

Belgium’s next challenge is a tough one. They are set to face France on Monday in a bid to reach the quarter-finals. This match will be a significant test for Belgium, especially for Lukaku, who will be eager to finally find the back of the net and break his scoring drought.

The Belgian team will need to improve their attacking play if they hope to progress further in the tournament. Lukaku’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities will be crucial. Despite his current form, his determination and talent make him a key player for Belgium as they aim to overcome the French challenge.

Coach Domenico Tedesco will likely be focusing on boosting the team's morale and refining their attacking strategies. The support of teammates like Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard could be vital in providing Lukaku with the service he needs to break his goal-scoring duck. Their creativity and vision on the field are essential in unlocking a tough French defense.

Lukaku's Euro 2024 campaign has been marred by bad luck and missed opportunities. While Belgium has reached the last 16, their performances have not been convincing, and Lukaku's struggles in front of goal have been a significant factor. As they prepare to face France, all eyes will be on Lukaku to see if he can turn his fortunes around and help lead his team to victory. Belgium’s success in the tournament could hinge on their star striker finding his form and delivering when it matters most.