Romelu Lukaku’s quest for a goal in Euro 2024 continued to be thwarted by the intervention of VAR. In Belgium’s second Group E match against Romania, Lukaku found the back of the net in the 64th minute, expertly finishing a pass from Kevin De Bruyne. Belgian players erupted in celebration, but their joy was short-lived as VAR intervened, ultimately ruling the goal offside.
The decision came down to a matter of millimeters, with Lukaku’s shoulder judged to be ahead of the last Romanian defender. This unfortunate incident marked the third time in two matches that Lukaku’s goal was chalked off by VAR. In Belgium’s opening match against Slovakia, Lukaku had initially celebrated a goal, only to be denied by VAR due to being offside. Later in the same match, he scored again but was ruled out once more when VAR detected a handball by Lois Openda in the lead-up to the goal.
The frequent use of VAR in football has sparked debate about its impact on the flow of the game and the fairness of decisions. While proponents argue that it helps to eliminate clear errors, critics point to the potential for it to disrupt the natural rhythm of the match and create inconsistencies in decision-making. This latest incident involving Lukaku only adds fuel to this ongoing discussion.
