Romelu Lukaku’s DIRECT first touch in added time against Monza slams Inter team-mate Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko couldn’t help but laugh on the touchline after his Inter Milan team-mate Romelu Lukaku awkwardly took the ball out of play against Monza on Saturday.

The out-of-form Belgium striker, who endured a frustrating end to his World Cup season last month by missing a catalog of chances against Croatia, accidentally controlled the ball with his first touch off the field while trying to keep it in goal in the final stages of the game.

His somber ball control drew laughs from the bench and a big grin from striker Dzeko, who was replaced by Lukaku midway through the second half to put Inter 2-1 up.

Edin Dzeko laughed on the touchline after Inter striker Romelu Lukaku failed to control the ball

The second-half substitute tried to keep the ball in the corner before parrying it for a throw-in

The 29-year-old’s mistake proved costly, however, and all smiles soon faded as Monza launched a last-minute attack and leveled moments later thanks to a Denzel Dumfries own goal.

Had Lukaku retained the ball, Inter might have held onto the win and drawn level on points with arch-rivals Milan in third place.

Lukaku, who made no secret of his desire to return to Inter last year, returned to the Serie A giants on loan from Chelsea after a bitter stint at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian has since struggled for chances at the San Siro, picking up a hamstring injury in the two months leading up to the World Cup.

Shortly after the Belgian star’s poor control, Denzel Dumfries’ own goal equalized for Monza

The 29-year-old has struggled with injuries this season, scoring once in his six league games

His return against Napoli last weekend helped Simone Inzaghi’s side to an important 1-0 win over the leaders, although Lukaku is still struggling to boast a prolific goalscoring record in Italy.

The Chelsea and Manchester United ex-killer has scored just once in his six league games so far this season and has failed to score in his two appearances in Qatar.

Inter meet Parma in the Coppa Italia round of 16 on Tuesday before hosting Verona in Serie A next weekend.