Croatia vs. Belgium – Soccer Match Report – December 1, 2022

Belgium have been knocked out of the World Cup following a poor 0-0 draw in opposition to Croatia on Thursday.

Roberto Martinez’s aspect wanted a win in opposition to the 2018 World Cup finalists to progress previous the group phases however have been unable to search out the again of the online.

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Captain Eden Hazard was dropped for the beginning of the match and Romelu Lukaku got here on to overlook 4 massive possibilities as Belgium’s World Cup journey got here to disappointing finish.

Croatia advance into the spherical of 16 however qualify in second place after Morocco completed high of the group with a 2-1 win over Canada.

Croatia dominated from the primary whistle and had an opportunity contained in the opening 20 seconds however Ivan Perisic blazed his shot over the bar.

Belgium responded with a swift counter assault after 14 minutes however Dries Mertens was unable to search out the goal after a fantastic by means of ball from Kevin de Bruyne.

Lower than a minute later, Croatia have been awarded a penalty when Yannick Carrasco was adjudged to have introduced down Andrej Kramaric inside the realm.

With Luka Modric getting ready to take the spot-kick, referee Anthony Taylor was despatched to the monitor by the VAR and the choice was overturned for an offside within the buildup.

The remainder of the half turned out to be a tense affair however the sport got here to life after the break.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was known as into motion early on and prevented Croatia on three separate events.

Lukaku was introduced on within the second half and the Inter Milan striker missed two massive possibilities in fast succession.

Simply after the hour mark, Lukaku reacted first to a rebound and managed to strike the submit from shut vary with the goalkeeper out of place.

The striker then headed one other straightforward effort over the bar with the purpose at his mercy.

It was not Lukaku’s evening after the striker went on to overlook one other two open targets as Croatia survived Belgium’s late assaults.