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Lukaku's evolution coming at the perfect time for Belgium

ROMAN KRUCHININ / AFP / Getty

Romelu Lukaku's relationship with Thierry Henry took off a couple of years ago when the former Arsenal striker joined Belgium's coaching staff as an assistant to Roberto Martinez. They have since discussed a range of topics - anything from Fortuna Dusseldorf's tactics to the merits of a Premier League All-Star Game.

But the most important discussion focused on Lukaku's own strengths and weaknesses. The 25-year-old has learned how to run into space like Henry and become more than an angular reference point up top. Lukaku has spoken in detail about his desire to improve and provide more assists, and now the world is witnessing the endpoint of his evolution.

His movement was once again crucial in Belgium's 2-1 win over Brazil, just as it was on the devastating counter-attack in Monday's last-minute victory versus Japan. His driving run through the pitch set up Kevin De Bruyne's critical goal against the Brazilians, and his constant probing left the opposition's backline dishevelled.

Lukaku looked a lot like De Bruyne on the counter, showing not only pace on the ball but the finesse to outmanoeuvre and bypass Fernandinho. He displayed much more than the stereotypical No. 9 would otherwise offer.

Related - Watch: Lukaku, De Bruyne combine for another brilliant counter-attack

Despite making just three touches in the penalty area - two of them unsuccessful dribbles - Lukaku found a way to be efficient and useful in a match that asked Belgium to defend. He wasn't lost up front; he made sure he was involved in the play.

Lukaku did a lot of work outside the penalty area, popping up on both wings to put himself in one-on-one situations with Brazil's defenders. His excellent runs drew Miranda well out of his confines and exposed the spaces Brazil's full-backs left behind. It gave the Selecao a genuine scare if and when it lost possession.

Lukaku also benefited from Roberto Martinez's clear instructions to remain high up the pitch. He wasn't required to track back. So when one of Belgium's midfielders won possession, Lukaku became an instant target. There was no need to catch up to the play because he was already there. That direct approach punished Brazil in the first half and ultimately provided the Red Devils with a sufficient enough lead to protect.

Martinez first deployed Lukaku on the wing during their time together at Everton, a tactic that worked particularly well in a 3-0 win over Arsenal. Lukaku left Nacho Monreal for dead and enjoyed cutting in on his favoured left foot. More importantly, he created space for his teammates.

Brazil saw a similar scenario play out in Kazan. Lukaku had enough time on the ball to pick out cross-field passes and take on defenders. Even if he didn't win every race, he continued to dash into the opposing half and cause problems.

It's taken a lot of time to pull off that kind of well-rounded performance. Unlike some of the game's best players, Lukaku watches as much football as he can. It's why he's able to hold such in-depth conversations with Henry, who has acted as a pseudo-muse and sidekick in the run-up to the World Cup.

"Thierry might be the only guy in the world who watches more football than me," Lukaku wrote in The Players' Tribune. "We debate everything. We’re sitting around and having debates about German second division football."

That insatiable appetite has allowed him to grow into a much more accomplished No. 9 than many of his critics would care to admit. He's learned to be effective even when he's not scoring the goals. That ultimately remains his job, but when a match turns like Friday's against Brazil, when there are fewer scoring opportunities and less of the ball at his feet, Lukaku still manages to make a difference.

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