Lukaku breaks Belgium scoring record

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku became his country's leading scorer at the age of 24 when his goal gave them a 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan in a friendly in Bruges on Tuesday. In a game that Belgian officials said was nearly called off after a terrorism scare, Lukaku scored with the easiest of headers at the far post from Nacer Chadli's cross to take his tally to 31 goals in 65 appearances.

Big thank you to all my teammates that i had playing for @BelRedDevils! You all helped since i joined at 16! Thank you to my family as well for the support! Glory to God always! pic.twitter.com/7rt1kS6VeT

— R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@RomeluLukaku9) November 15, 2017

Belgium extended their unbeaten run to 15 games, their last defeat having come against Spain in a friendly in September last year. The Belgian football association, quoted by public broadcaster RTBF, said that in the end there had been no danger to the public, although extra security measures, including metal detectors, meant many fans were late taking their seats.

?? Romelu Lukaku is now Belgium's all-time leading goalscorer with 31 goals. ??? pic.twitter.com/qZlD5LyFj5

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) November 15, 2017

Bruges police told local media they had been warned by the federal authorities shortly before the kick-off of a possible attack during the match, prompting the additional checks. Belgium has been on high alert since Brussels-based Islamic State militants attacked Paris, including a France-Germany soccer friendly in the city, two years and one day ago. Brussels itself was attacked by IS suicide bombers in March last year.