‘Lukaku shouldn’t be allowed to play!’

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said that Belgium star forward Romelu Lukaku is making World Cup football look like playground football due to his outstanding pace and power.

Lukaku changed Belgium’s fate in the decisive quarterfinal tie against Brazil when there were question marks over how Belgium could score against a solid Brazil defence.

Roberto Martinez employed Lukaku in a way where he could pull wide to the right side while Kevin De Bruyne attacked the space left by Lukaku.

The Belgian forward was a constant nightmare for Brazil defence as he held up the ball quite comfortably against pressure and it was difficult to take the ball off him. Centre back Miranda and Marcelo in particular found out about Lukaku’s intense power and ability to run with the ball.

Former United defender Ferdinand is among those to have been impressed by a striker who can look unplayable on his day, telling BBC Sport: “It's like playing in the school playground and you have a 16-year-old playing against the 11-year-olds.

“It's like that he's too big and too strong for everyone.

“He almost shouldn't be allowed to play with them!'”

Lukaku had scored four goals in the Group stage of the World Cup but did not extend his goal-scoring record in the knockout rounds. However, his brilliant run through the middle of the pitch before setting up De Bruyne’s goal showed that the forward is more than just about goals.

Lukaku himself emphasised that he does not want to limit his game to just scoring goals and wanted to show his all-round abilities.

“Everyone thinks Romelu Lukaku is just about goals, goals, goals, but I want to be seen as an all-rounder.

“Providing assists is also important, and this year I have provided more than ever. Of course I want to score but, at the same time, I try to work as hard as I can for the team.”

Belgium will be hoping that their powerful and technical forward can fire them past France and into the final of the World Cup when the two sides meet on July 11.