It was a second half filled with drama at the The King Baudouin Stadium as an 89th minute Romelu Lukaku equalizer amidst 2 Greek players getting sent off ensured that the match ended 1-1 and that Belgium kept their place atop Group H.
The second half couldn’t possibly have been worse than the first and it thankfully, it started off with a bang as 19 seconds in, Benfica striker Kostas Mitroglou got on the scoresheet. The scoreline would remain at 0-1 for large portions of the game and the Greeks held on brilliantly, despite the 65th minute sending off of Georgios Tzavellas.
Then in the 89th minute, Romelu Lukaku, who had been a mere passenger for large parts of the game suddenly sprang to life and scored a stunning goal to bring his side back on level terms.
The Fellaini bashing began almost immediately after the game started. Some fans couldn’t believe how the Manchester United midfielder even made that starting XI.
Fellaini must be incredible in training. Cause he always seems to play for Belgium and Man United ??
— Sam Swash (@swashy123) March 25, 2017
Fellaini ahead of Dembele! I’ve lost all respect I had for Martinez.
— SamBowdenFFC (@SamBowdenFFC) March 25, 2017
Instead of Hazard and KDB i now have to watch Fellaini and Witsel fml
— Oli ‘Flexmaster’ (@Banana11Crazy) March 25, 2017
Fellaini’s performance so far.
– Passed the ball straight out of play
– Missed a sitter#BELGRE pic.twitter.com/yK8coLLWEe
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) March 25, 2017
And now Fellaini almost scored a back heel, international football fucks me up. pic.twitter.com/YgvYEw0Ykx
— Georgie (@LieutenantSloth) March 25, 2017
Fellaini is wavey.. look at that flick moving like prime zidane Jesus
— y.shaks (@Martian_MUFC) March 25, 2017
Never been a massive Martinez fan but the fact he’s started Fellaini over Dembele is a massive heads gone!! #belgre
— Y.N.W.A. (@FandangoLFC) March 25, 2017
My brain hurts when Fellaini makes a Belgian starting XI
— Steven Scott (@OneTouchSoccer) March 25, 2017
Fellaini allmost just scored the sickest goal
— Sam (@SamTheNugget) March 25, 2017
Fellaini = Zidane #BELGRE
— Younesse Maréchal (@MarechalRadio) March 25, 2017
Something’s totally wrong Hollands losing and Fellaini performance is better than expected #WorldCupQualifier
— RamAnan (@Ram_Anand_) March 25, 2017
Quite how Fellaini gets in that Belgium ?? ⚽starting 11 is one of life’s great mysteries ?
— Andy Anderson (@shelf_life64) March 25, 2017
Ronaldo scores, Fellaini gets booked….no surprises so far tonight.
— Dave77 (@dipps1966) March 25, 2017
And then, we came across this.
I would have Fellaini over Mata & Herrera any day of the week . Fellaini is useful at least if not pleasant to watch.
— W10 (@_imran_mufc_) March 25, 2017
#Belgium are definitely missing the creativity of Hazard
— Matthew Adamson (@shadymofo78) March 25, 2017
No Hazard no party #belgre
— ✌ Andrew ✌ (@DarkSky_Shadow) March 25, 2017
Hazard watching Carrasco like.. #belgre pic.twitter.com/0q8K7xqdqd
— Wannes De Craene (@WannesDeCraene) March 25, 2017
This fan didn’t even think it was worth the time.
There are genuine weirdos here who watch Belgium and Chelsea’s friendly matches when Eden is not playing.
— . (@afnancfc) March 25, 2017
The first half left a lot of the fans pretty frustrated, with Fellaini’s backheel and booking the only major events.
Pretty grim stuff from Belgium. Greece defending predictable attacks efficiently. Fellaini/Witsel need to leave for Tielemans/Dembele.
— eurofoot (@eurofootstadium) March 25, 2017
Greece clearly happy if it stays 0-0. Summary of that first half: Mèh #belgre
— Gianni Verschueren (@ReverschPass) March 25, 2017
Slow motion. #belgre
— Karl Apers (@karlapers) March 25, 2017
Belgium could play till Sunday they ain’t scoring tonight #belgre
— Lee Gibbon (@LeeGibbon11) March 25, 2017
Wondering if greece is here to play football or to lay down on the field ?.. start playing football instead of asking for cards ?.. #belgre
— Sallemeyn Michiel (@SallemeynM) March 25, 2017
Belgium were absolutely dreadful that half not taking anything away from greece although they’ve not had alot to deal with! #belgre
— Richard Heyworth (@RichardHeyworth) March 25, 2017
Greece have offered nothing going forward but are frustrating Belgium immensely. More creativity from CMID required. #Tielemans? 0-0 #belgre
— Alastair Gartenberg (@FRvoetbalAli) March 25, 2017
The second didn’t start well for the Belgians. 19 seconds on the clock and former Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou finishes brilliantly past Courtois.
Oops. Belgium 0-1 Greece
— 12BarsBlue (@BrettRoryThomas) March 25, 2017
Shocker in Brussels! Belgium are 1-0 down to Greece! Konstantinos Mitroglou with the strike. Big, big shock. #SFLive.
— Soccerfield HQ (@Soccerfield_HQ) March 25, 2017
Kostas Mitroglou has now scored 12 goals in his last 12 games for club & country. ??
Lightning-quick start to the second half. pic.twitter.com/VD4J4KA9ed
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 25, 2017
MITROGLOU MY GOD
— NIKO (@lord_niko) March 25, 2017
We see what this fan did there,
Belgium best be careful lukaku has ambition you know
— Liam (@Kingy_efc) March 25, 2017
Belgium must be the most overrated team in football
— Stephen Muir (@StephenMuir1878) March 25, 2017
Belgium bottling without Hazard
— sepi (@sepkesh) March 25, 2017
It can’t be this obvious. Can it?
Belgium losing without Eden water is wet
— Olsen (@Olsen317496271) March 25, 2017
@kchastney35 Belgium couldn’t score if Greece went off the field.
— Gareth White (@garethawhite) March 25, 2017
How is Belgium losing to Greece? What a waste of talent
— Denis F (@denis_llagami) March 25, 2017
After Fellaini, it was Diers Merten’s silliness that enraged the fans. He did this.
Dries Mertens, ladies and gentlemen. Some nose grabbing. (? @flapoortje) #belgre pic.twitter.com/8rcVQUUp1Y
— Kristof Terreur ? (@HLNinEngeland) March 25, 2017
Yes, you saw right.
Shoulda been a red. Mertens is lucky to still be on the pitch. #BELGRE
— Alex Anif (@alex_kid7) March 25, 2017
Dries Mertens just got booked for basically trying to pick oppositions nose. #BELGRE
— Eat My Goal.tv (@eatmygoaltv) March 25, 2017
Mertens is sick in the head ? how will you be trying to pinch someone’s nose ?
— Ricky (@Ovio_) March 25, 2017
Should have been a red for Mertens – disgraceful behaviour ?#BelgiumvGreece
— Lisa Zazzera (@Zazzeli) March 25, 2017
Belgium playing 2-4-4 and Greece 8-1. #belgre
— John Chapman (@BelgoFoot) March 25, 2017
Belgium toothless with no hazard
— Crown Prince (@Twinsena) March 25, 2017
No KDB no party for Belgium ?? tonight
— Carl Richmond (@richyrich1971) March 25, 2017
And then you wonder why Hazard will never win anything with Belgium. Look at these BS now
— Kepha Murage (@KephaMurage) March 25, 2017
Belgium welcome to the Martinez era
— Jow Blob (@Englisharian) March 25, 2017
The Belgium bashing continued until Romelu Lukaku of all people, brought them level.
LUKAKU pour l’égalisation ( plus que méritée) pour les @BelRedDevils enfinnnnnnnnnnnnn #BELGRE 1/1 pic.twitter.com/qK3prSFUtp
— DZMafia (@FennecOM_) March 25, 2017
Likely directed at those who were criticising him going into this match. That’s ambition for you.
XD lukaku #belgre pic.twitter.com/pt8SW1LNTm
— Inside Wants Out ? (@Souad_Ala) March 25, 2017
Christ, that was some finish from Romelu Lukaku.
— Toby Freestone (@Tfreestone_) March 25, 2017
Romelu Lukaku saves Roberto Martinez! I’m sure we’ve heard that one before… #WCQ
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) March 25, 2017
Hate on Lukaku a lot but this is great technique from him on this goal. Nicely done. pic.twitter.com/Ix4sKkq7pB
— Paracelsus (@DoctorDrugFree) March 25, 2017
Can’t wait for Lukaku’s interview when he says he wants to win international trophies so The Echo report he wants to sign for Germany.
— Kevin Devonport (@kevdev9) March 25, 2017
Made in #neerpede @RomeluLukaku9 #sportingboy #everton #teambelgium #Belgium pic.twitter.com/662Y5iVwqM
— Anderlecht-online.be (@rsca_online_fr) March 25, 2017
Man I’m ready for Lukaku to lead the line, thanks for the memories Diego but adios pal
— ㅤ (@SiIlinho) March 25, 2017
Really? After 1 goal against a 10-man Greece?
Romelu Lukaku has to lead cfc attack next season.
— DUKE (@DDukeofmilan) March 25, 2017
Please let Lukaku come to Chelsea ?
— Jack ✌️ (@RamboMorgan) March 25, 2017
Lukaku’s goal record is freaking immense for a 23 year old
— Dave ?? (@WideCreator) March 25, 2017
Was originally against the idea but if costa’ form doesn’t improve before season end I’d be ok with him going to china and us signing Lukaku
— Cian (@Cians_tweets) March 25, 2017
Lukaku saving Martinez…. YET AGAIN!!
— Mart Bray (@evertonianbray1) March 25, 2017
Lukaku is one of the world’s best forwards, without a doubt.
— ®a$ђaad Aтcђa™ (@ThaKingSlayer) March 25, 2017
Really hope Lukaku signs for united such a good striker ?? #MUFC
— Waz (@YourBoyWazz) March 25, 2017
The game didn’t end well however. Lukaku and Greek defender Kostas Manolas seemed to have gotten into an argument about something that was said by the AS Roma defender.
Manolas has to have said something there. Lukaku never just goes off like that.
— Lucy (@lucyefcf1) March 25, 2017
Manolas I love you mate but Lukaku would kill you ?
— Lewis (@CAFCWheeler) March 25, 2017
Not sure what that Greece player has said to Lukaku but he looks like he wants to murder him
— m (@moolag) March 25, 2017
Lukaku throw them hands son
— Ghassan (@GhassanLogic) March 25, 2017
Lukaku about to box some Greeks
— Sean (@sean_mcfc) March 25, 2017
I’m going to guess the Greek said something racist to Lukaku. Don’t see him getting that wound up otherwise.
— Rob (@OakalyDokaly) March 25, 2017