Lukaku: I wasn't ready to take the penalty
Romelu Lukaku, who played a vital role in Belgium's 3-2 victory against Senegal, explained why he left the penalty won in extra time to Tielemans. 'I wasn't mentally ready,' he said.
Romelu Lukaku kept his cool at the team's most critical moments in the Round of 32 match, where Belgium came from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2 in the 2026 World Cup. After completing the regular time at 2-2 in the match played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Dakar, Belgium, it was Youri Tielemans, not Lukaku, who shot the penalty they won in extra time. With the penalty converted into a goal by Tielemans, Belgium took the lead and won the match 3-2.
Lukaku, on the other hand, raised the morale of the team by scoring the first goal in this victory. Lukaku made his decision to leave the penalty to Tielemans clear in his statement yesterday: 'I was not ready to take the penalty. I didn't feel mentally prepared for that moment.
