The Belgian national team caused a real stir at this 2026 World Cup, following Donald Trump’s appeal to FIFA and the subsequent overturning of Florian Balogun’s red card.

The ‘Red Devils’ put in a masterclass performance and knocked the United States out with a resounding 4–1 victory in Seattle. There are now no host nations left in the competition at this World Cup.

The European side demonstrated their class in a high-tension encounter and secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Spain, who previously knocked out Portugal.

Amidst the heated atmosphere surrounding ‘Balogun-Gate’, the star of the Belgian attack, Romelu Lukaku, once again cemented his place amongst the elite with a new historic milestone.

The current Napoli striker came on as a substitute and achieved a feat never before seen in World Cup history.

The World Cup’s ‘super sub’

The Belgian striker, who was nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2021, contributed his share of the goals late on and sealed his team’s fourth goal.

At that moment, Lukaku and his team-mates celebrated with President Donald Trump’s signature dance and ‘mocked’ the red card that was rescinded for Balogun.

Thanks to that goal, the Belgian striker became the first player of all time to score as a substitute in three different matches at the same World Cup.

Romelu Lukaku’s goals at the 2026 World Cup:

  • Group stage vs. New Zealand: 1 goal

  • Round of 16 vs. Senegal: 1 goal

  • Round of 16 vs. United States: 1 goal

In this way, the striker proved that he does not need to play the full 90 minutes to make a decisive impact, turning his physical power into his national team’s trump card in the closing stages of matches.

Surpassing football legends

Consequently, the all-time record for players with the greatest goal-scoring impact coming off the bench in a single World Cup has been changed forever.

Before Lukaku’s record in 2026, the previous record stood at just two matches and was shared by three legends of international football.

With this new milestone set by the Belgian striker, the list now stands as follows:

  • Romelu Lukaku (Belgium – 2026): 3 matches scoring as a substitute

  • Roger Milla (Cameroon – 1990): 2 matches scoring as a substitute

  • Rudi Völler (Germany – 1986): 2 matches scoring as a substitute

  • André Schürrle (Germany – 2014): 2 matches scoring as a substitute

By leaving such greats behind, the Napoli striker has set a new World Cup record.

The golden generation’s final great battle

Beyond this individual record, the Belgian national team already has its sights set on what will be a gruelling quarter-final clash against Spain.

The clash against the Spanish side will provide the perfect opportunity for the ‘Red Devils’ to make a strong comeback and secure a place amongst the tournament’s top four teams.

This 2026 World Cup is also shaping up to be the last chance for the survivors of Belgium’s iconic ‘golden generation’, led by stars of the calibre of Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Lukaku himself.

Having come very close to glory in previous tournaments, this historic group of players knows that this is their final big chance to lift the long-awaited World Cup.

With that goal in mind, Lukaku’s new and relentless role from the bench promises to be Belgium’s secret weapon in breaking that curse once and for all.

Will it happen this time?