One of Group F’s heavyweights could be eliminated.
Both teams must win their ninth international match to advance.
Belgium was the No. 2 team in the world into the Qatar tournament, but they lost to Morocco.
Croatia’s aged squad remains dangerous with Luka Modric in midfield.
The Sporting News covers Croatia-Belgium in 2022. Qatar Group F results are below.
Belgium vs. Croatia score
1H 2H Final
0 0 0
Germany 0 0 0
Goals: \sNone
Setlists:
Croatia (4-5-1): Livakovic — Juranovic, 6. 20. Sosa vs. Modric, 11. Kovacic (Majer 90+2) Livaja (Petkovic 64′), Kramaric (Pasalic 64′), 4.
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois — Dendoncker (Tielemans 72′), Alderweireld, Vertonghen. Meunier (E. Hazard 87′), Witsel Castagne, De Bruyne Trossard (T. Hazard 59′), Carrasco (Doku 72′). Mertens (Lukaku 46′)
Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Croatia 4.21.10.41.1+3
2. Morocco 4.21.10.2+2
Belgium 3-2-1-1-0-1-2
2022 World Cup FULL-TIME: Croatia vs. Belgium. Croatia has won Group F with a point. Belgium failed to advance from their group for the first time since 1998 after Morocco beat Canada.
In the fourth minute of added time, Josko Gvardiol blocks Romelu Lukaku’s effort.
Romelu Lukaku’s 90-minute attempt fails. Jeremy Doku’s run allows Thorgan Hazard to cross, but Lukaku doesn’t react in time after Dejan Lovren misses it, and Dominik Livakovic collects.
U.S.
Thomas Meunier’s cross-goal shot hits Romelu Lukaku and bounces behind.
U.S.
Belgium’s final gamble: Eden Hazard replaces Thomas Meunier.
Josko Gvardiol thanks his lucky stars when Dominik Livakovic’s positioning prevents an own goal. Croatia’s shot goes straight to the goalkeeper.
Croatia has done a terrific job in the previous few minutes of keeping the ball. Belgium can’t escape.
Ivan Perisic, another superb Croatian today, crosses for Marko Pasalic at the back post. Timothy Castagne’s header clears the danger.
Josko Gvardiol has made two interceptions and a headed clearing as Belgium tries to score.
75 minutes left for Belgium as Morocco leads Canada.
Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku are substituted in the 72nd minute.
Belgium’s last 20 minutes are ticking away.
Bruno Petkovic helps the ball to Luka Modric, but his shot is too weak to worry Thibaut Courtois.
Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja are replaced by Marko Pasalic and Bruno Petkovic.
CHANCE! Romelu Lukaku has an easier chance. Dominik Livakovic botches Kevin De Bruyne’s pass, giving the Belgian striker an open goal. He misses.
De Bruyne didn’t retain the ball in play, so Lukaku’s blushes may have been spared.
U.S.
POST! How hasn’t this gone in? Kevin De Bruyne’s pass sends Yannick Carraso into the penalty area. Josip Juranovic makes a superb block, but the ball breaks to Romelu Lukaku, whose right-foot effort strikes the left post.
U.S.
59: Thorgan Hazard replaces Leandro Trossard for Belgium.
After Belgium’s early second-half flurry, Croatia has seemed more likely to score.
Thibaut Courtois saves Luka Modric with a diving save in the 54th minute.
Borna Sosa’s pass to Marko Livaja sets up a chance for Mateo Kovacic to find Marcelo Brozovic, whose shot is close to Thibaut Courtois.
50 minutes: Josko Gvardiol finds Mateo Kovacic on the left. The Chelsea midfielder attempts to give Thibaut Courtois the eyes before shooting, but he is alert and blocks it.
Josko Gvardiol intercepts Kevin De Bruyne’s pass with Romelu Lukaku lurking. From a corner, De Bruyne passes to Lukaku, who heads straight at Dominik Livakovic.
Romelu Lukaku replaces Dries Mertens at halftime, which is no surprise.
HALFTIME At halftime, neither team posed much of a threat. Dries Mertens missed Belgium’s greatest chance, and Croatia was denied a penalty for offside.
45+4 minutes: The ball bounces about Belgium’s penalty area and falls to Josip Juranovic, but he misses.
We’ll have four extra minutes at halftime.
Kevin De Bruyne sends another enticing ball across Croatia’s goalmouth, but Dries Mertens and no midfielder gamble.
Thomas Meunier finds Leander Dendoncker on the right after 42 minutes. Josko Gvardiol gets a key touch to prevent Dries Mertens from scoring.
Both sides are sloppy with their final passes in the 39th minute. Too often relinquished.
Ivan Perisic did well to block Leandro Trossard’s pass to Kevin De Bruyne.
Marko Livaja heads Borna Sosa’s left-wing cross too high in the 33rd minute.
Belgium has possession within Croatia’s half but can’t advance. Too sluggish, too many touches.
Belgium are battling to get out of their own half. Axel Witsel heads Luka Modric’s corner from the left, but it keeps going back.
Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku joke on the bench, but Belgium is losing. Morocco extended their advantage over Canada, therefore Belgium must win.
Belgium may have gotten lucky with that call, but it hasn’t changed the direction of play. Croatia is still the more threatening team and having a lot of joy around Belgium’s small midfield.
NONE! But wait! After a thorough VAR examination, referee Anthony Taylor reviews the pictures and rules the free-kick was offside. Belgium’s break.
CROATIA PUNISHED! Jan Vertonghen clears, but Yannick Carrasco’s touch is bad and he fouls Andrej Kramaric. How could Croatia not lead?
Oh, 13 minutes! Kevin De Bruyne leads a Belgium counterattack and looks for Dries Mertens on his left, but his finish is off as the ball goes over the crossbar.
Dries Mertens beats Croatia’s offside trap and passes to Yannick Carrasco, but Dominik Livakovic blocks. Josip Juranovic played him onside, per replay.
10 mins: Marcelo Brozovic blocks Yannick Carrasco’s shot from the left flank.
Toby Alderweireld’s long pass finds Dries Mertens in Croatia, but he’s crowded. Belgium’s better.
First 10 minutes: Croatia shows urgency and dynamism. Belgium’s play has been lethargic; they’ve been second in everything.
Morocco leads Canada in Group F’s other game. That puts them at the top of the group, so a draw won’t save Belgium.
Belgium’s early defence looks fragile. Frequent turnovers and panic under pressure. Quickly settle.
What a start! Within 10 seconds of kickoff, Luka Modric floated a lovely pass to Ivan Perisic, who flashed a shot narrowly beyond Thibaut Courtois’ post.
Croatia kick off Group F’s last match.
We stand firm. Belgium has three points, one behind Croatia and Morocco, and must win to advance. Croatia needs a draw, but Belgium needs Canada to beat Morocco.
Will these two be key players?
5 minutes before kickoff, the teams come out for the anthems. Tension everywhere.
10 minutes out: Romelu Lukaku might make an impact off the bench at World Cup 2022.
Belgium prepares 15 minutes before kickoff.
This might be some big names’ last World Cup game.
This is Croatia and Belgium’s eighth match, but first big tournament match. Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal in their previous meeting on 6 June 2021.
Red and white checks are everywhere 30 minutes before start.
Thibaut Courtois will gain his 100th cap in 40 minutes. He’ll be the seventh player to reach 100, with the previous six in their World Cup 2022 squad. Vertonghen, Witsel, Alderweireld, Hazard, Mertens, Lukaku.
Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic start for Croatia in an unchanged lineup 55 minutes before kickoff.
Roberto Martinez has dropped Eden and Thorgan Hazard, replacing them with Yannick Carrasco and Leandro Trossard in midfield and Kevin De Bruyne with Axel Witsel and Leander Dendoncker on the right of a back three. Dries Mertens replaces Michy Batshuayi, Romelu Lukaku starts on the bench.
65 minutes till kickoff, the teams have been verified.
1 hour 10 minutes before kickoff, a glimpse inside Belgium’s changing room.
1 hour 20 minutes until kickoff: The venue needs no praise.
1h30 from kickoff: With 90 minutes till kickoff, FIFA explains who needs what.
We’ll get teamsheets an hour before kickoff. The crowd is arriving.
2h30 from kickoff: Ivan Perisic is bullish about Croatia’s chances today after a 4-1 win over Canada. With Belgium vulnerable, Croatia is in control.
If today’s game ends in a draw, Croatia will advance, but Belgium needs Canada to beat Morocco by two goals to advance. Martinez’s team must win, then Croatia must beat Morocco.
3h30 from kickoff: Croatia is expected to use the same lineup that beat Canada 4-1 last time out. Nikola Vlasic is out again with an injury, but Luka Modric should start despite being booked.
Youri Tielemans may return to Belgium’s midfield without Amadou Onana. Lukaku could play.
Croatia and Belgium have World Cup pedigree. With Morocco in pole position to qualify, something will have to give today between two semifinalists.
4h30 from kickoff: Kevin de Bruyne has already dismissed Belgium’s chances of winning the 2018 World Cup, saying their squad is too old. Roberto Martinez says his team ‘wants bad news’
On the eve of this crucial match, there’s unrest in the Belgian camp.
5hr countdown: The Sporting News will cover Croatia vs. Belgium in Group F. This conflict is between almost-men. Croatia ‘almost’ won the 2018 World Cup, while Belgium has been hyped for years as a side with the talent to dominate, but they haven’t. Today might be the latest chapter as they seek the win they need to advance. This might be exciting!
Lineups, news: Croatia vs. Belgium
Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric start for Croatia in an unchanged lineup as coach Zlatko Dalic rests his veterans.
Nikola Vlasic came off the bench against Canada and is again among the replacements. Marko Livaja and Ivan Perisic flank Andrej Kramaric up front.
Croatia (4-5-1): Livakovic — Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa — Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic — Livaja, Kramaric, Perisic
Roberto Martinez made four changes as Belgium’s last-chance saloon.
Leander Dendoncker begins in place of Amadou Onana, while Kevin De Bruyne will likely partner Axel Witsel in central midfield with Eden Hazard and Thorgan Hazard out. Leandro Trossard and Yannick Carrasco come in, and Dries Mertens replaces Michy Batshuayi in lieu of Romelu Lukaku despite his cameo against Morocco.
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois against. Dendoncker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Meunier, Witsel. De Bruyne, Castagne, Trossard, Carrasco, 11. Mertens
Live stream of Croatia vs. Belgium
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One of Group F’s two heavyweights could be headed for the World Cup exit door.
In their ninth international match, both teams require a win to advance to the Round of 16.
Belgium was the No. 2-ranked nation in the world entering the Qatar tournament, but a loss to Morocco has put them on the brink.
With Luka Modric in midfield, Croatia’s ageing squad remains a threat.
The Sporting News covers Croatia vs. Belgium at the 2022 World Cup. Group F match in Qatar results are below.
Belgium vs. Croatia score
1H 2H Final
Germany 0-0 Costa Rica
0 0 0
Goals: \sNone
Setlists:
4. Perisic — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic (7. Majer 90+2′) — 14. Livaja (16. Petkovic 64′), 9. Kramaric (15. Pasalic 64′)
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois — Dendoncker (Tielemans 72′), Alderweireld, Vertonghen. Meunier (E. Hazard 87′), Witsel Castagne, De Bruyne 17-Trossard (16-T. Hazard 59′), 11-Carrasco (25-Doku 72′) — 14-Mertens (9-Lukaku 46′).
Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Croatia 4.21.10.41.1+3
2. Morocco 4.21.10.2+2
Belgium 3-2-1-1-0-1-2
4. Canada-E-0-2-0-0-1-5
2022 World Cup: Croatia vs. Belgium highlights
FULLTIME: Croatia has won Group F with a point. Belgium failed to advance from their group for the first time since 1998 after Morocco beat Canada.
In the fourth minute of added time, Josko Gvardiol blocks Romelu Lukaku’s effort.
Romelu Lukaku’s 90-minute attempt fails. Jeremy Doku’s run allows Thorgan Hazard to cross, but Lukaku doesn’t react in time after Dejan Lovren misses it, and Dominik Livakovic collects.
U.S.
Thomas Meunier’s cross-goal shot hits Romelu Lukaku and bounces behind.
Belgium’s final gamble: Eden Hazard replaces Thomas Meunier.
Josko Gvardiol thanks his lucky stars when Dominik Livakovic’s positioning prevents an own goal. Croatia’s shot goes straight to the goalkeeper.
Croatia has done a terrific job in the previous few minutes of keeping the ball. Belgium can’t escape.
Ivan Perisic, another superb Croatian today, crosses for Marko Pasalic at the back post. Timothy Castagne’s header clears the danger.
Josko Gvardiol has made two interceptions and a headed clearing as Belgium tries to score.
75 minutes left for Belgium as Morocco leads Canada.
Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku are substituted in the 72nd minute.
Belgium’s last 20 minutes are ticking away.
Bruno Petkovic helps the ball to Luka Modric, but his shot is too weak to worry Thibaut Courtois.
Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja are replaced by Marko Pasalic and Bruno Petkovic.
CHANCE! Romelu Lukaku has an easier chance. Dominik Livakovic botches Kevin De Bruyne’s pass, giving the Belgian striker an open goal. He misses.
De Bruyne didn’t retain the ball in play, so Lukaku’s blushes may have been spared.
POST! How hasn’t this gone in? Kevin De Bruyne’s pass sends Yannick Carraso into the penalty area. Josip Juranovic makes a superb block, but the ball breaks to Romelu Lukaku, whose right-foot effort strikes the left post.
59: Thorgan Hazard replaces Leandro Trossard for Belgium.
After Belgium’s early second-half flurry, Croatia has seemed more likely to score.
Thibaut Courtois saves Luka Modric with a diving save in the 54th minute.
Borna Sosa’s pass to Marko Livaja sets up a chance for Mateo Kovacic to find Marcelo Brozovic, whose shot is close to Thibaut Courtois.
50 minutes: Josko Gvardiol finds Mateo Kovacic on the left. The Chelsea midfielder attempts to give Thibaut Courtois the eyes before shooting, but he is alert and blocks it.
Josko Gvardiol intercepts Kevin De Bruyne’s pass with Romelu Lukaku lurking. From a corner, De Bruyne passes to Lukaku, who heads straight at Dominik Livakovic.
46 mins: Romelu Lukaku replaced Dries Mertens at halftime, as expected.
HALFTIME At halftime, neither team posed much of a threat. Dries Mertens missed Belgium’s greatest chance, and Croatia was denied a penalty for offside.
45+4 minutes: The ball bounces about Belgium’s penalty area and falls to Josip Juranovic, but he misses.
We’ll have four extra minutes at halftime.
Kevin De Bruyne sends another enticing ball across Croatia’s goalmouth, but Dries Mertens and no midfielder gamble.
Thomas Meunier finds Leander Dendoncker on the right after 42 minutes. Josko Gvardiol gets a key touch to prevent Dries Mertens from scoring.
Both sides are sloppy with their final passes in the 39th minute. Too often relinquished.
Ivan Perisic did well to block Leandro Trossard’s pass to Kevin De Bruyne.
Marko Livaja heads Borna Sosa’s left-wing cross too high in the 33rd minute.
Belgium has possession within Croatia’s half but can’t advance. Too sluggish, too many touches.
Belgium are battling to get out of their own half. Axel Witsel heads Luka Modric’s corner from the left, but it keeps going back.
Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku joke on the bench, but Belgium is losing. Morocco extended their advantage over Canada, therefore Belgium must win.
Belgium may have gotten lucky with that call, but it hasn’t changed the direction of play. Croatia is still the more threatening team and having a lot of joy around Belgium’s small midfield.
NONE! But wait! After a thorough VAR examination, referee Anthony Taylor reviews the pictures and rules the free-kick was offside. Belgium’s break.
CROATIA PUNISHED! Jan Vertonghen clears, but Yannick Carrasco’s touch is bad and he fouls Andrej Kramaric. How could Croatia not lead?
Oh, 13 minutes! Kevin De Bruyne leads a Belgium counterattack and looks for Dries Mertens on his left, but his finish is off as the ball goes over the crossbar.
Dries Mertens beats Croatia’s offside trap and passes to Yannick Carrasco, but Dominik Livakovic blocks. Josip Juranovic played him onside, per replay.
Marcelo Brozovic blocks Yannick Carrasco’s shot from the left flank.
Toby Alderweireld’s long pass finds Dries Mertens in Croatia, but he’s crowded. Belgium’s better.
First 10 minutes: Croatia shows urgency and dynamism. Belgium’s play has been lethargic; they’ve been second in everything.
Morocco leads Canada in Group F’s other game. That puts them at the top of the group, so a draw won’t save Belgium.
Belgium’s early defence looks fragile. Frequent turnovers and panic under pressure. Quickly settle.
What a start! Within 10 seconds of kickoff, Luka Modric floated a lovely pass to Ivan Perisic, who flashed a shot narrowly beyond Thibaut Courtois’ post.
Croatia kick off Group F’s last match.
We stand firm. Belgium has three points, one behind Croatia and Morocco, and must win to advance. Croatia needs a draw, but Belgium needs Canada to beat Morocco.
Will these two be key players?
5 minutes before kickoff, the teams come out for the anthems. Tension everywhere.
All eyes on the starting selections, but Romelu Lukaku might make an impact off the bench.
Belgium prepares 15 minutes before kickoff.
This might be some big names’ last World Cup game.
This is Croatia and Belgium’s eighth match, but first big tournament match. Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal in their previous meeting on 6 June 2021.
Red and white checks are everywhere 30 minutes before start.
Thibaut Courtois will gain his 100th cap in 40 minutes. He’ll be the seventh player to reach 100, with the previous six in their World Cup 2022 squad. Vertonghen, Witsel, Alderweireld, Hazard, Mertens, Lukaku.
Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic start for Croatia in an unchanged lineup 55 minutes before kickoff.
Roberto Martinez has dropped Eden and Thorgan Hazard, replacing them with Yannick Carrasco and Leandro Trossard in midfield and Kevin De Bruyne with Axel Witsel and Leander Dendoncker on the right of a back three. Dries Mertens replaces Michy Batshuayi, Romelu Lukaku starts on the bench.
65 minutes till kickoff, the teams have been verified.
1 hour 10 minutes until kickoff: Belgium’s changing room looks great.
1 hour 20 minutes until kickoff: The venue needs no praise.
1h30 from kickoff: With 90 minutes till kickoff, FIFA explains who needs what.
We’ll get teamsheets an hour before kickoff. The crowd is arriving.
Ivan Perisic is bullish about Croatia’s chances today after a 4-1 win over Canada. With Belgium vulnerable, Croatia is in control.
If today’s game ends in a draw, Croatia will advance, but Belgium needs Canada to beat Morocco by two goals to advance. Martinez’s team must win, then Croatia must beat Morocco.
Croatia is expected to use the same lineup that beat Canada 4-1 last time out. Nikola Vlasic is out again with an injury, but Luka Modric should start despite being booked.
Youri Tielemans may return to Belgium’s midfield without Amadou Onana. Lukaku could play.
Croatia and Belgium have World Cup pedigree. With Morocco in pole position to qualify, something will have to give today between two semifinalists.
4h30 from kickoff: Kevin de Bruyne has already dismissed Belgium’s chances of winning the 2018 World Cup, saying their squad is too old. Roberto Martinez says his team ‘wants bad news’
On the eve of this crucial match, there’s unrest in the Belgian camp.
5hr countdown: The Sporting News will cover Croatia vs. Belgium in Group F. This conflict is between almost-men. Croatia ‘almost’ won the 2018 World Cup, while Belgium has been hyped for years as a side with the talent to dominate, but they haven’t. Today might be the latest chapter as they seek the win they need to advance. This might be exciting!
Lineups, news: Croatia vs. Belgium
Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric start for Croatia in an unchanged lineup as coach Zlatko Dalic rests his veterans.
Nikola Vlasic came off the bench against Canada and is again among the replacements. Marko Livaja and Ivan Perisic flank Andrej Kramaric up front.
4. Perisic — 14. Livaja, 9. Kramaric, 8. Kovacic — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic
Roberto Martinez made four changes as Belgium’s last-chance saloon.
Leander Dendoncker begins in place of Amadou Onana, while Kevin De Bruyne will likely partner Axel Witsel in central midfield with Eden Hazard and Thorgan Hazard out. Leandro Trossard and Yannick Carrasco come in, and Dries Mertens replaces Michy Batshuayi in lieu of Romelu Lukaku despite his cameo against Morocco.
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois against. Dendoncker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Meunier, Witsel. De Bruyne, Castagne, Trossard, Carrasco, 11. Mertens
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