Croatia vs Belgium LIVE: World Cup 2022 result and final score after Lukaku spurns chances
Croatia and Belgium are facing off in a crucial Group F fixture at the 2022 World Cup.
Croatia come into the game top of the group with four points from their opening two matches after beating Canada and drawing with Morocco, and know that a draw will see them through to the last 16. Belgium also beat Canada but then lost to Morocco to leave them third in the group and on the brink of World Cup elimination.
Unless Canada thrash Morocco, then Belgium must win today in order to qualify for the knockout stages, but 2018 runners-up Croatia will not be easy to overcome. They have the easiest task, knowing that a draw guarantees them progression.
Follow all the World Cup action below:
Croatia vs Belgium
Croatia take on Belgium in the final round of Group F fixtures at World Cup 2022
Both teams have four points and winner will go through to knockout rounds
87’ - CHANCE! Lukaku deflects a pass wide of the post (CRO 0-0 BEL)
60’ - POST! Lukuku drills a great chance into the woodwork (CRO 0-0 BEL)
54’ - SAVE! Courtois denies Brozovic with diving stop (CRO 0-0 BEL)
51’ - SAVE! Kovacic forces a fingertip save from Courtois (CRO 0-0 BEL)
17’ - NO PENALTY! VAR rules it out for an offside in the build-up (CRO 0-0 BEL)
14’ - PENALTY! Kramaric is taken out by Carrasco (CRO 0-0 BEL)
1’ - SHOT! Perisic blasts one wide after quick start (CRO 0-0 BEL)
Full-time: Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:55 , Michael Jones
90+4 mins: There’s the final whistle. Belgium are out of the World Cup!
They could get past Croatia’s defence, couldn’t pick up three points today and as a result Roberto Martinez’s golden generation have been knocked out in the group stages!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:53 , Michael Jones
90+2 mins: Another chance! Thorgan Hazard knocks the ball into the six-yard box as Belgium break down Croatia. Romelu Lukaku is hovering but Josko Gvardiol stretches at the ball and pokes it wide of the big striker!
What a block from the defender.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:51 , Michael Jones
90 mins: Oh no! Jeremy Doku weaves his way through the box and slides a pass to Thorgan Hazard who floats a perfect pass into the six-yard box.
He drops the ball over Dejan Lovran and picks out Romelu Lukaku who lets the ball hit him in the chest but then miscontrols it. Dominik Livakovic leaps onto the loose ball and smothers the danger.
Four minutes of added time to play!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:47 , Michael Jones
87 mins: Chance! Timothy Castagne floats a cross over to the far side of the box where Thomas Meunier volleys a pass into Romelu Lukaku.
The forward has no time to react but sticks out a leg and deflects the ball wide of the post!
Eden Hazard comes on to replace Meunier after that move.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:45 , Michael Jones
84 mins: Eden Hazard is coming on for the final minutes. He is the last card that Roberto Martinez has left to play. The Belgium captain will have mere minutes to influence his country’s World Cup destiny.
As it stands Belgium are going out. They need a goal.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:41 , Michael Jones
81 mins: Into the final 10 minutes with both teams creating chances. Croatia’s two substitutes are linking up well in the Belgium final third but they’ve yet to create a clear chance.
Juranovic storms forward to help out and receives the ball. He carries it into the box but his cutback finds Axel Witsel who boots it clear.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:38 , Michael Jones
78 mins: Thorgan Hazard wins a corner then swings it into the middle of the penalty area. He finds Jan Vertonghen but Mario Pasalic turns it behind.
The referee thinks the ball has gone out off the Belgium defender though and awards Croatia a goal kick.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:36 , Michael Jones
75 mins: Croatia have nine men behind the ball as De Bruyne slides a pass over to Tielemans on the right side of the pitch. He whips in a cross but there’s only Romelu Lukaku in the box and he’s easily marked.
Croatia clear their lines.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:32 , Michael Jones
73 mins: Martinez is throwing as many attack minded players on the pitch as he can. The longer the game goes on the more Croatia will go into their shells and try to hold out for a draw.
Belgium are still searching for this goal. Will Romelu Lukaku end up ruing his missed chance?
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:31 , Michael Jones
71 mins: Roberto Martinez is animatedly talking to Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku on the sidelines as he prepares more changes.
Leander Dendoncker and Yannick Carrasco are the two men replaced.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:27 , Michael Jones
66 mins: Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja are substituted off for Croatia with Mario Pasalic and Bruno Petkovic replacing them.
Petkovic gets involved straight away, setting Luka Modric up for a shot but the midfielder can’t keep the bouncing, bobbling ball from rising over the goal.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:25 , Michael Jones
63 mins: The replays show that Josip Juranovic got a slight deflection on Lukaku’s effort which took the ball onto the post. That could be a monumental block if Croatia end up going through.
De Bruyne lifts another cross onto Lukaku’s head but he puts the effort over the crossbar this time. The ball had rolled over the byline though before De Bruyne passed it so any goal wouldn’t have counted.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:21 , Michael Jones
60 mins: Off the woodwork! How has Lukaku missed this?
On the half turn Kevin De Bruyne slides a pass into the box for Yannick Carrasco who shrugs off a defender and pokes the ball at goal forcing Dominik Livakovic into a sharp save.
The ball rebounds out to Romelu Lukaku who fizzes a right-footed shot at goal and drills it into the nearest post!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:17 , Michael Jones
57 mins: Sosa is played into space on the left hand side allowing him to lift another cross into the box for Croatia but he puts it too close to Courtois who plucks the ball out of the add.
Thorgan Hazard is then introduced as a replacement for Leandro Trossard.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:14 , Michael Jones
54 mins: Save! Thibaut Courtois is called into action once more. Sosa floats a chipped pass into the box for Livaja who chests it down before giving the ball to Kovacic.
He feeds it across to Brozovic who drills a shot at goal and forces the Belgium goalkeeper into a sharp stop to his right!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:10 , Michael Jones
51 mins: Save! Croatia seem to have sensed more purpose from Belgium and sweep up the pitch to create a chance of their own. Josko Gvardiol dances into the area before sliding a pass over to Mateo Kovacic who curls an effort at goal that Thibaut Courtois tips over the crossbar!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:09 , Michael Jones
48 mins: Belgium are immediately playing better. Romelu Lukaku gives them a focal point in the penalty area, giving Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard someone to aim for.
They work the ball slickly over to the right side where De Bruyne has a cross knocked out for a corner. The ball comes back to midfielder following the set piece and his lifts one over to the back post where Lukaku meets it with a header and sends the ball into the arms of Domink Livakovic.
Second half: Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:05 , Michael Jones
Kick off: Roberto Martinez makes a change at half-time with Romelu Lukaku coming on to replace Dries Mertens. Can Belgium’s record goalscorer send them through to the knockout rounds?
Belgium kick off the second half desperately needing a goal.
HT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:02 , Michael Jones
The other Group F match of the day currently has Morocco leading 2-1 at half-time. As it stands Morocco are winning the group with Croatia edging through at the expense of Belgium.
The Red Devils need a goal.
HT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:56 , Michael Jones
Half-time: Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:50 , Michael Jones
45+4 mins: Goalless at the break. A dull affair comes to a close with both needs desperately needing to inject some momentum into proceedings.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:45 , Michael Jones
45 mins: Four minutes of added time to play before the end of the half.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:44 , Michael Jones
44 mins: The debate will be whether Belgium are purposefully being cautious to avoid a Croatia goal or whether they just aren’t creative enough to compete at this World Cup.
Roberto Martinez’s men have only scored once in their two and a half games so far and are seemingly bereft of ideas without Romelu Lukaku up top.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:42 , Michael Jones
41 mins: Nearly! Thomas Meunier brings the ball down the right and slides in Leander Dendoncker on the overlap. He carries the ball into the box and pulls it back but a deflection from Josko Gvardiol sends it through the six-yard area to safety.
Encouraging signs from Belgium though.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:40 , Michael Jones
38 mins: Morocco have added to their lead against Canada so the Canadians are unlikely to do Belgium any favours. The Red Devils need to get themselves out of the mess they’ve created.
At the minute though that looks unlikely.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:37 , Michael Jones
35 mins: A misplaced pass into Luka Modric gets intercepted by Leandro Trossard who carries it up towards goal.
He holds onto the ball too long though which allows Ivan Perisic to get back and clear the danger just as Trossard tries to find Kevin De Bruyne on the right side of the penalty area.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:33 , Michael Jones
32 mins: Close! Croatia get forward down the left wing and feed Borna Sosa into the byline. He swings a good cross into the box and finds Marko Livaja who rises above two defenders before nodding an effort wide of the left-hand post!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:30 , Michael Jones
29 mins: It’s been a tepid half an hour or so barring Perisic’s early chance and the penalty debacle. Neither team is moving the ball quickly and both look content to hold their shape and slowly make their way up the pitch.
Belgium need some impetus, they’re the ones that have to win. Croatia can draw 0-0 and still get through.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:25 , Michael Jones
26 mins: The crowd erupts as the current group standings are shown on the big screen. Belgium are holding onto possession but they aren’t doing much with it.
A cross into the box is easily cleared by Brozovic who wins the ball back for Croatia.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:24 , Michael Jones
23 mins: Belgium just look a little slow in their play. It’s as though they’re not sure how best to attack Croatia and by the time they’ve figured it out the Croatians have pressed and are on top of them.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:20 , Michael Jones
20 mins: Belgium will feel as though they got away with one there. Luka Modric was all set to smash home the spot kick before it got overturned.
NO PENALTY! Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:18 , Michael Jones
17 mins: There’s a pause in proceedings as Anthony Taylor is called over to the pitchside monitor by VAR to check for a possible offside in the build-up.
The referee looks at the replays and overturns his decision!
Penalty to Croatia!
15:16 , Michael Jones
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
14 mins: Huge moment! Croatia dink a free kick into the area and Jan Vertonghen wins the initial header. He nods it to Yannick Carrasco who gives the ball away with a heavy touch.
Andrej Kramaric nicks it and is then clipped by Carrasco before going down in the box.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:12 , Michael Jones
12 mins: Close! Dries Mertens makes a nice darting run in behind and gets played into the right side of the penalty area. He fizzes a pass across the six-yard box and picks out Yannick Carrasco whose simple effort is turned behind by a Josip Juranovic deflection.
The resultant corner comes to nothing for Belgium.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:10 , Michael Jones
9 mins: Leandro Trossard and Josko Gvardiol come together as Trossard attempts to hold up the ball in the middle of the pitch. He does well to keep the defender at bay and wins Belgium a free kick.
They work it nicely into the final third where Yannick Carrasco takes a shot that Marcelo Brozovic gets in behind and blocks.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:06 , Michael Jones
6 mins: In the other Group F match taking place right now Hakim Ziyech has scored for Morocco against Canada already.
That means as it stands Belgium must beat Croatia in order to reach the last-16. Croatia will go through if this ends in a draw.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:04 , Michael Jones
3 mins: Belgium are settling down after that early chance. A long ball is booted up the pitch and is beautifully brought down by Leandro Trossard.
He spins away from a challenge and looks to pick out Yannick Carrasco on the edge of the box but his pass gets intercepted.
Kick off: Croatia 0-0 Belgium
15:01 , Michael Jones
Croatia get the ball rolling in this crucial World Cup group stage outing. Whoever loses is likely to go home.
The ball comes over to Luka Modric who fires a long diagonal over to Ivan Perisic on the left side of the penalty area. Perisic brings the ball down, rolls it onto his right foot and blasts one wide of the far post!
Massive chance straightaway for Croatia!
Croatia vs Belgium
14:54 , Michael Jones
Here come the teams.
Luka Modric leads out Croatia with Kevin De Bruyne captaining Belgium after Eden Hazard was dropped to the bench. Belgium have never lost back-to-back matches under Roberto Martinez but if they do so tonight they’ll be out of the World Cup.
Modric’s last ride?
14:52 , Michael Jones
37-year-old Luka Modric is appearing in his fourth World Cup. The midfielder is a five-time Champions League winner and helped his country reach the World Cup final in Russia four years ago.
But, this could be his final outing in the World Cup if things don’t go well for Croatia today.
‘We’re too old’: Jan Vertonghen hits back at Kevin De Bruyne amid reports of Belgium bust-up
14:48 , Michael Jones
Veteran defender Jan Vertonghen has hit back at Kevin De Bruyne’s claim that Belgium are “too old” to win the World Cup, amid reports of a major dressing room bust-up following their chastening defeat at the hands of Morocco on Monday.
Belgium went down 2-0 to an impressive Morocco performance to leave themselves third in Group F with one game to play, a crucial showdown against group leaders Croatia.
Roberto Martinez’s side were the world’s No1 ranked side as recently as last year but their golden generation of talent is coming towards the end of its cycle and there is concern over the lack of suitable young replacements for stalwarts like the 35-year-old Vertonghen and his defensive partner Toby Alderweireld, 33.
‘We’re too old’: Jan Vertonghen hits back at Kevin De Bruyne amid Belgium bust-up
Croatia vs Belgium
14:44 , Michael Jones
Croatia have only lost two of their 10 meetings with fellow European nations at World Cups (W6, D2), with both of those coming against France (1998 semi-final, 2018 final).
Their only defeat in 18 matches in all competitions (W12, D5) was a 3-0 Nations League loss to Austria in June.
Croatia vs Belgium
14:40 , Michael Jones
The fans have made their way to the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium where one of these two teams is likely to get knocked out of the World Cup at the expense of the other.
Who will it be?
World Cup results: The scores so far from Qatar 2022
14:36 , Michael Jones
The 2022 World Cup is in full swing as 32 nations began on 20 November aiming to lift the Jules Rimet trophy in Doha on 18 December.
The tournament is the first Fifa men’s World Cup to play out in the northern hemisphere’s winter, after it was moved from its original summer scheduling to combat Qatar’s intense heat.
Brazil came into tournament as the slight favourites to win the World Cup ahead of their South American rivals Argentina. The most fancied European nations at the start of the competition were England, Spain, France and Germany, with Belgium and Netherlands also considered dark horses. As the African champions, Senegal were considered Africa’s best hope of delivering a first World Cup for the continent.
The tournament has not been without controversy, from the mid-season scheduling which has seen a raft of injuries in the lead-up to kick-off, to the broader picture of Qatar’s exploitation of migrant workers in order to build the stadiums and infrastructure required to host the four-week event. Fifa president Gianni Infantino only added fuel to the fire when he gave his extraordinary pre-tournament speech, and what has followed has been vigorous debate around showing support for LGBTQ+ rights in a conservative Islamic country where homosexuality is illegal.
Despite the off-field issues, the players on the pitch have still served up an entertaining tournament, with goals, shocks, twists and turns.
Here are the results so far at World Cup 2022:
World Cup results: The scores so far from Qatar 2022
Group F permutations
14:32 , Michael Jones
Croatia are through if they win or draw against Belgium whilst Morocco are through if they win or draw against Canada.
Belgium will qualify for the last 16 with victory over Croatia and Canada can’t progress although they can win their first ever points on the World Cup stage.
‘The Golden Generation’ of Belgium will step up on World Cup stage
14:28 , Michael Jones
Belgium may not be weighed down by history – but that doesn’t make expectation levels any less hefty.
Roberto Martinez’s side have been the number one side in the world for most of the four years between the last World Cup in Russia and this tournament in Qatar.
They’ve also reached the last eight of every major tournament since 2014, but have yet to make a major final. Their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup is, to date, the best achievement by a side who many would consider to be capable of so much more.
Their most recent brush with disappointment came at last year’s Euros, after an epic clash with Italy at Munich’s Allianz Arena. It’s a game that Belgian boss, Roberto Martinez, remains convinced could have gone either way.
Roberto Martinez: ‘The Golden Generation’ of Belgium will step up at World Cup
Croatia vs Belgium
14:24 , Michael Jones
A landmark day for Thibaut Courtois as the 30-year-old, who made his Belgium debut in 2011, reaches 100 caps for Belgium.
He becomes the first keeper to reach this milestone for the men’s national side and seventh player overall after Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel, Toby Alderweireld, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku.
Courtois has kept 49 clean sheets so far for the national team.
Croatia vs Belgium
14:20 , Michael Jones
Belgium have won their last two meetings with Croatia, with Romelu Lukaku netting all three of their goals in those victories.
However, Lukaku isn’t 100% fit and starts from the bench today.
Belgium on the brink as golden generation bid to keep last World Cup shot alive
14:15 , Michael Jones
It could be the end of an era for a generation. They are the golden generation who have not struck gold and probably never will now. And yet Roberto Martinez, with his remarkable gift for positivity, argued that, even with a group-stage exit from the World Cup, the greatest pool of players Belgium have ever had have achieved more than some champions.
“This generation haven’t won a major tournament but they’re leaving a legacy and that can go further,” the Belgium manager said. “This group of players deserve respect and admiration. We can win, draw or lose but the legacy of this generation is clear. The next 20 years will not be the same because of them.”
Martinez’s reasoning was multifaceted. “They got a bronze medal in 2018, they were four years the No 1 [ranked team by Fifa] and 21 of them have got their A Licences,” he said. “They are going to carry on affecting Belgian football from a coaching perspective for the next 20 years.”
Belgium on the brink as golden generation bid to keep last World Cup shot alive
Will Belgium get knocked out?
14:07 , Michael Jones
Belgium have reached at least the quarter-finals at each of their last four major tournaments and won the third-place play-off at the 2018 World Cup against England.
They are the number two ranked side in the world behind Brazil and yet face the prospect of an early exit unless they defeat Croatia this afternoon.
Questions have arisen about the desire of the players, whether they are too old and if the ‘golden generation’ talent has been wasted following lacklustre displays against Canada and Morocco.
Roberto Martinez’s men can silence the critics with a stellar performance against Croatia in what is, on paper, the most difficult game of Group F.
Rumours of Belgium dressing room divide ‘invented'
14:02 , Michael Jones
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says that the rumours about a split within the Belgium dressing room, especially between the senior players, are just ‘invented stories’ due to the team’s struggle at the World Cup so far.
Head coach Roberto Martinez added that there is a "desire to find negative news" about his squad.
"Some people are quite happy to jump on fake news," Martinez said ahead of the game against Croatia.
"It is quite astonishing. It shows you that maybe there is more desire to find negative news about the team rather than enjoy the best generation of talent that we’ve ever had in Belgian football."
Belgium’s World Cup defeat by Morocco leads to riots on streets of Brussels
13:56 , Michael Jones
Belgium’s shock World Cup defeat by Morocco on Sunday led to riots on the streets of Brussels, with photos and videos showing cars being smashed and upturned, and fires being started.
The incidents in the Belgian capital, which saw riot police deployed, followed the national football team’s surprise 2-0 loss to Morocco in Group F, a result that puts Roberto Martinez’s side on the brink of an early exit from the competition in Qatar.
The result led to violent riots in Brussels, which led to the deployment of riot police.
Photos and video footage show cars and other property being vandalised in the streets of the Belgian capital, with fires also lit in the roads.
Belgium’s World Cup defeat by Morocco leads to riots on streets of Brussels
Croatia vs Belgium team changes
13:52 , Michael Jones
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic names an unchanged team to the one that defeated Canada 4-1 last time out.
Roberto Martinez meanwhile makes four changes to his Belgium side. The big news is the Eden Hazard drops to the bench along Thorgan Hazard and Michy Batshuayi. Amadu Onana is suspended.
Replacing them are Leander Dendoncker, Yannick Carrasco, Leandro Trossard and Dries Mertens.
Croatia vs Belgium line-ups
13:47 , Michael Jones
Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic
Belgium XI: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Castagne, Dendoncker, Witsel, Carrasco, De Bruyne, Trossard, Mertens
Today at the World Cup: Crunch time for Germany and history to be made
13:43 , Michael Jones
Four of Europe’s big guns face potential World Cup elimination on Thursday as Groups E and F are settled.
Germany are the side with most work to do as they head into their final Group E game against Costa Rica with just a point to their name. Group leaders Spain still have a job to finish against Japan, whose hopes are also still alive.
Belgium, one of the tournament’s big disappointments so far, have a tough task as they take on 2018 runners-up Croatia. There is a strong likelihood only one of those sides will progress as Morocco are well placed and need only a draw against already-eliminated Canada.
Here, we look ahead to the action and reviews the games on Wednesday which included notable wins for Argentina and Australia.
Today at the World Cup: Crunch time for Germany and history to be made
Croatia vs Belgium prediction
13:39 , Michael Jones
Every World Cup seems to have a big-hitter that crashes out of the group stages and, barring a sudden turnaround, it looks set to be Belgium here.
They have been out-worked by both Morocco and Canada so far, while Croatia are always up for the fight. They have the quality, too, to knock Belgium out of the World Cup.
Croatia 2-0 Belgium
Where to watch Croatia vs Belgium?
13:34 , Michael Jones
The match will kick off at 3pm GMT on Thursday 1 December at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar. It will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 2:30pm, as well as online on the BBC iPlayer.
Croatia vs Belgium early team news and predicted line-ups
13:29 , Michael Jones
Marko Livaja and Andrej KramariÄ both scored against Canada and should keep their places in Croatia’s attack. Zlatko Dalic does not have any injury concerns and could name an unchanged team.
Amadou Onana is suspended for Belgium and will likely be replaced by Youri Tielemans. Romelu Lukaku came off the bench against Morocco but does not look ready to start, while Roberto Martinez will decide whether to keep faith with Eden Hazard.
Predicted line-ups
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic
Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Carrasco; De Bruyne, E. Hazard; Batshuayi
Croatia vs Belgium
13:10 , Michael Jones
Hello and welcome to another day of World Cup football. The group stages continue to fly towards their conclusion with just six places in the last-16 left to be decided.
Two of those will go to the qualifiers from Group F where Morocco, Belgium and Croatia are all vying to reach the next round of the competition. All three teams have four points going into the final group games but Morocco are favourites to progress as they take on the already eliminated Canada.
Croatia and Belgium face each other meaning that one of these aging sides will probably be going home unless the Canadians pull off a shock win.
Croatia’s goal difference is superior to Belgium’s meaning that they need just a point to qualify. The Independent will have coverage of both games before Group E concludes this evening with Spain and Germany in action.
