Lukaku breaks Belgium scoring record

BRUGES: Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku became his country’s leading scorer at the age of 24 when his goal gave them a 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan in a friendly in Bruges yesterday.

In a game that Belgian officials said was nearly called off after a terrorism scare, Lukaku scored with the easiest of headers at the far post from Nacer Chadli’s cross to take his tally to 31 goals in 65 appearances.

He edged one goal ahead of Bernard Voorhoof and Paul Van Himst.

Belgium extended their unbeaten run to 15 games, their last defeat having come against Spain in a friendly in September last year.

The Belgian football association said that in the end there had been no danger to the public, although extra security measures, including metal detectors, meant many fans were late in taking their seats.

Bruges police told local media they had been warned by the federal authorities shortly before the kick-off of a possible attack during the match, prompting the additional checks.

Belgium has been on high alert since Brussels-based Islamic State militants attacked Paris, including a France-Germany soccer friendly in the city, two years and one day ago. Brussels itself was attacked by IS suicide bombers in March last year.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Lars Stindl scored a last-gasp equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw against France in a friendly as the world champions stretched their unbeaten run to 21 matches.

France twice led through Alexandre Lacazette, who netted either side of Timo Werner’s leveller, but Stindl struck in stoppage time to rescue the hosts. – Reuters