Greece 1 Belgium 2: Romelu Lukaku books Belgium’s place in the World Cup finals after Jan Vertonghen hits wonder goal in dramatic finale

Man Utd's £75m summer buy heads late winner to peak incredible four-minute spell - and severely dent Greece's own hopes of qualifying

Ian Tuckey

Published: 21:36, 3 Sep 2017
Updated: 9:51, 3 Oct 2017

ROMELU LUKAKU booked Belgium's place in the World Cup finals as his late winner capped an incredible finale.

Manchester United's £75million summer buy deftly headed home on 74 minutes to severely dent Greece's own hopes of qualifying.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates his winner as belgium qualify for the World Cup finals in Russia next year with victory in GreeceCredit: Reuters

Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld gets tight with Greece star Kostas FortounisCredit: AFP or licensors

Tottenham centre-back Jan Vertonghen had fired Belgium's wonder-opener just four minutes earlier - before Goncalves Rodrigues flicked Greece level.

Star-studden Belgium had brought on Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard for Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele just seconds before Lukaku's winner.

And Greece struggled all night to get to grips with slick visitors, who also included Vertonghen's defensive partner for Tottenham Toby Alderweireld and Old Trafford midfield giant Marouane Fellaini.

Dries Mertens almost added gloss to Belgium's victory as they run amok on the break.

Jan Vertonghen sees his effort go in to put Belgium ahead on 70 minutesCredit: AFP or licensors

Thomas Vertonghen rejoices after making the breakthrough for BelgiumCredit: AP:Associated Press

But their one-goal winning margin was about right as the Greeks had battled tirelessly throughout.

Belgium now have 22 points from eight Group H games - eight more than second-placed Bosnia Herzegovina, who leapfrogged Greece with a 4-0 win in Gibraltar.

Each side has two matches left.