Lukaku rewrites World Cup history with goal against USA – sets multiple records

Romelu Lukaku keeps reshaping the record books – this time at the 2026 World Cup. Belgium's striker scored in the Round of 16 against the United States and etched his name into the tournament's history with a series of remarkable achievements. Lukaku became the first Belgian player to score at least three goals in two different World Cups. After netting four times in 2018, he has now bagged three in the 2026 edition, bringing his overall World Cup tally to eight goals. A curious symmetry: his first ever World Cup goal came against the USA back in 2014, and his eighth also came versus the same opponent, twelve years later. His full World Cup scoring log: 2014 vs USA; 2018 vs Panama (2), Tunisia (2); 2026 vs New Zealand, Senegal, USA. The strike against the United States was Lukaku's 93rd for Belgium. That places him fifth on the all-time international scorers list, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ali Daei, and Sunil Chhetri. Another unique feat: Lukaku is the first player in World Cup history to score in four separate matches after coming off the bench. Those games are the 2014 encounter with the USA, and the 2026 fixtures against New Zealand, Senegal, and the United States. His efficiency in this tournament has been astonishing. In his last three appearances, Lukaku managed just one shot on target per match – and converted all three into goals.