ROMELU Lukaku could and should have had a hat trick after he came on for Belgium in the second half of the crucial Group F encounter with Croatia.

A win for either side would have sent them through to the knockout stage.

Belgium, the number two-ranked Fifa side, had not shown any sign of encouragement for coach Roberto Martinez and the Red Devils’ fans, hence the decision to bring a semi-fit Lukaku out after the break was a risk worth taking.

He did in fact change the course of the game, giving Kevin de Bruyne and company a big target up front.

The first half had been tense without being too exciting, Thibaut Courtois in the Belgians’ goal being called on to make three successive saves as Luka Modrich led the Croatian charge.

He almost had to also face a penalty, but this was overruled by VAR.

In third place on the group log, the onus was on Belgium to up the ante after a so-so first stanza.

And so Romelu Lukaku enters the arena.

He is an imposing physical presence who has some excellent qualities.

Unfortunately, quick feet is not one of them and, coupled with the fact that he was not at his sharpest due to recent injuries, he was too slow in reacting to three gilt-edged chances.

He will have nightmares, if not post-traumatic stress disorder, for years as he replays his spurned opportunities.

Another two centimetres and the shot he lashed against the right upright would have entered the net instead of deflecting across the goalmouth.

He couldn’t be blamed soon after when he stuck out a hopeful leg in trying to deflect a ball goalward that had arrived at pace from a ricochet.

But it was easier to score than to miss when Thorgan Hazard floated a cross that found Lukaku barely a metre from the line.

He could literally have walked it in with his body but he allowed the ball to hit his chest and trickle down harmlessly, and the moment escaped.

He was sent through again and a whisk away from putting his laces through the ball when a desperate sliding tackle from Josko Gvardiol stole it off his boot.

The Croatian defender, wearing a face mask that made him resemble the legendary Zorro, if not as handsome as Antonio Banderas, will certainly be as popular among his people for this and other brilliant interceptions.

Nil-nil it ended and Belgium pack their bags with kit and regrets.

There were prior fears that the aging Belgian side – and the Croatians, for that matter – were reaching their sell-by dates. Perhaps this was confirmation.