Lukaku injured in late Belgium win

ByAssociated Press ESPN logo
Tuesday, June 10, 2014

BRUSSELS -- Dries Mertens scored in the 89th minute as Belgium clinched a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in their final warm-up game for the World Cup on Saturday.

The match was interrupted for around 40 minutes after a severe hail storm forced players off the field in the first half, while an injury suffered by striker Romelu Lukaku will be of concern for the Belgians.

After a successful preparation campaign highlighted by a 5-1 victory over Luxembourg and a 2-0 win in Sweden, Belgium coach Marc Wilmots sought safety first for the send-off game against Tunisia.

He kept forward Lukaku on the bench until the 61st minute after the striker had already proven his form with four goals in the last two games, but the forward limped off before full-time after sustaining an injury.

"For now it looks like a severe sprain, but of course there will be further tests tomorrow," Wilmots said. "As it looks now, Romelu will be out for three or four days. Let's hope it stays that way."

Wilmots also experimented in midfield by keeping expected World Cup starters Axel Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne sidelined.

Tunisia were reduced to 10 men after 63 minutes when Issam Jemaa was sent off for a second yellow card for grabbing Vincent Kompany's shirt.

Belgium dominated but lacked the cutting edge and had only a few shots at goal until Mertens slotted home after being set up by Nacer Chadli's pass.

Belgium play Russia, South Korea and Algeria in Group H.