Belgium 0-0 Croatia: Belgium crash out of the World Cup
Belgium crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages after drawing 0-0 to Croatia.
As a result, Croatia qualify in second place in Group F and progress through to the Round of 16.
The ‘golden generation’ had lots of clear chances to score but failed to hit the back of the net.
Romelu Lukaku had four big chances in which he could convert none of them.
Croatia flew out of the blocks with a chance in the first 30 seconds. Ivan Perisic picked up the ball on the left hand-side and fiercely struck the ball on the half volley but went just wide of the far post.
In the 13th minute Belgium broke from a Croatia attack through Kevin De Bruyne. He drove thorough the Croatian midfield and slipped in Dries Mertens who blazed his shot over the bar.
On the 14th minute Croatia received a penalty as Yannick Carrasco fouled Andrej Kramaric. However, VAR ruled out the penalty due to a razor thin offside in the process.
In the 32nd Croatia created another opportunity from the left-hand side. This came from a Borna Sosa cross, which was aimed in the direction of Marko Livaja. He gets on the end of it, but his header rises over the bar.
In injury time Croatia created yet another opportunity from the left-hand side. This came as Sosa crossed the ball and it fell to Livaja. He then forcefully struck the ball over the bar.
In the 48th minute Belgium created the first chance of the second half. De Bruyne picked up the ball on the right hand side and dinked in a cross aiming towards the far post. Romelu Lukaku heads the ball straight at Dominik Liakovic.
Croatia responded right back. Josko Gvardiol slipped in Mateo Kovacic who firmly struck a shot aiming for the top corner. However, the reliable Thibaut Courtois stuck out a left palm to tip the ball over the bar.
Croatia then created quick fire opportunities as low shots from Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric are well saved by Courtois.
In the 59th minute Belgium created a golden opportunity. This came as De Bruyne slipped in Carrasco who poked it goal wards but it was blocked by Josip Juranovic. However the ball ricocheted to Lukaku who hit the post.
Soon after, Belgium had another guilt-edge opportunity. De Bruyne dinked in a cross towards an unmarked Lukaku. Despite this Lukaku’s free header went sailing over the bar.
Croatia responded. Sosa picked up the ball on the left-hand side and dinked the ball in the direction of Modric. His shot is however tame and was saved comfortably by Courtois.
In the 86th minute Lukaku had another golden chance. Thomas Meunier crossed the ball into the path of Lukaku who stuck out a leg but went wide of the post.
In the 90th minute Belgium created the best opportunity of the game. Thorgan Hazard picked up the ball on the right hand side and dinked the ball in the direction of Lukaku. However, he failed to get enough of a connection to score in an open net and the grateful Liakovic grabbed hold of the ball.
That brought an end to the match with the game finishing 0-0.
