Belgium coach Rudi Garcia’s Lukaku gamble backfires against Iran

Romelu Lukaku started for Belgium against Iran despite limited minutes this season, a decision Rudi Garcia defended by citing Charles De Ketelaere’s slight knock. Garcia insisted De Ketelaere was not at 100%, but Lukaku was also far from fully fit after playing fewer than 100 minutes all season. The coach’s choice to start Lukaku backfired as the striker struggled to impact the game against Iran’s compact defence. Lukaku’s introduction against Egypt had been decisive, but his performance in Los Angeles showed lingering issues. His touches were off-tempo, his link-up play poor, and he rarely threatened Iran’s goal. One sequence summed up his afternoon: Lukaku turned away from goal, miscontrolled the ball, and sent it out of play. Belgium repeatedly tried to force play through the centre via Lukaku, whose lay-offs were consistently mistimed. The team’s shape became overly reliant on him, and his lack of sharpness meant the attack rarely troubled Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

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Lukaku played over 70 minutes, exceeding the hour Garcia had suggested would be the limit. The coach seemed to hope for a late spark, but it never came. The decision now leaves Belgium with a dilemma ahead of their next match. Matias Fernandez-Pardo has barely featured, with just four minutes against Iran after 12 and 17 minutes in pre-tournament friendlies. Garcia’s comparison to Divock Origi in a press conference highlighted the gap: Origi played at least 30 minutes in each group-stage game after starting in warm-ups.

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Fernandez-Pardo’s lack of gametime raises questions over his readiness. Starting Lukaku again against New Zealand would heap pressure on the striker, still haunted by Belgium’s 2022 World Cup exit. De Ketelaere’s form has also dipped in recent matches, leaving Garcia with few palatable options. The Iran defeat exposed cracks in Belgium’s attack. Lukaku’s fitness and Garcia’s tactics are now under scrutiny as the Red Devils regroup for their final group game.