MOSCOW, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Romelu Lukaku was virtually unplayable as Belgium cruised to a 5-2 win over Tunisia on Saturday afternoon to all but assure their place in the last 16 of the World Cup, however, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez and captain Eden Hazard seem to have different opinions over his role in the side.
During the week Hazzard revealed he has criticized Lukaku for his first half display against Panama in Belgium's opening group game. Lukaku netted two second half goals, but Hazard told the press, he had asked for more commitment from the powerful striker.
"I told Romelu (at halftime) that if we wanted to win the game, we need him, not just to score goals, but for him to be involved in the build-up and things like that," said Hazard.
Nobody can accuse the striker of hiding in the first half against Tunisia as he scored twice to help his side virtually wrap up the game and a place in the last 16 by halftime.
He now sits level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the 'Golden Boot' in Russia with four goals and he could have had even more if coach Roberto Martinez had not decided to substitute him with over half an hour still to play.
Nevertheless his display has put Lukaku in the record books as the first player to score more than one goal in consecutive games since Diego Maradona in Mexico 1986.
"He's not here to be the top scorer at the World Cup, he's here to help the team to win and do his job. His role is of someone who can score goals," said Martinez shortly after the final whistle in Moscow.
Martinez, who spent 28 million pounds to buy Lukaku from Chelsea in July 2014 when he was coach of Everton, has a different view over Lukaku's role in the Belgium side than Eden Hazard.
"I know Rom well, I spent the biggest amount in Everton's history on a player because of the quality of his finishing, not because he was a player that could contribute things other than scoring goals," he said.
So should Lukaku in the build-up or save his strength for the rival penalty area? So far it doesn't seem to matter what he does, he keeps getting better and better and with Hazzard, Kevin de Bruyne and Yannick Carrasco all in form, Belgium are joint top scorers in Russia with 8 goals from just two games.
