45
16:53
mid-term conclusion
Croatia and Belgium go into the break with a goalless draw. Croatia started like the fire brigade. After less than ten seconds Perišić had the first shot. Belgium had to sort itself out first. The game was level after 15 minutes and Modrić’s free-kick resulted in Croatia being awarded a penalty. However, the decision was reversed due to an offside position. After that, the game played mainly in midfield. Neither team could create serious chances. Belgium often tried crosses that found no takers. Croatia’s game seemed a bit more mature overall. The 0-0 at the break is fine.
45
4:50 p.m
Kramarić swings in a cross from the right, which Perišić just misses with a header. The second ball lands on Juranović, whose shot just misses.
45
16:48
Sosa crosses again from the left to the middle. A Belgian defender intervenes.
45
16:47
Carrasco again with a good start down the left flank. His cross in the middle is cleared again.
45
16:45
Official stoppage time (minutes): 4
45
16:45
Sosa tries a shot from the second row. His attempt from 20 meters flies well over it.
44
16:44
De Bruyne brings a good low cross in front of the goal from the left. But again there is no buyer ready. Livaković intercepts the ball.
42
16:42
Belgium finally combined well in the penalty area. Dendoncker puts the ball in front of the goal to the right of the baseline. Mertens can’t quite get his foot on. Croatia can clarify.
39
16:39
Croatia defends passionately and also looks more dangerous up front. Belgium shows a completely different face than against Morocco, but so far they haven’t had any chances to score.
35
16:35
Witsel prevails against several opponents and then plays to the left on Carrasco. The winger crosses the ball well into the middle. But there is no target player. Croatia clears without problems.
33
16:33
Finally a degree. Sosa brings a strong cross into the middle from the left. Livaja beats two Belgian defenders in a header duel. But his degree flies past the gate to the left.
31
16:31
Belgium now has longer periods of ball possession. But the Red Devils play pretty slowly. So Croatia can easily defend the relative.
28
16:28
So far, successful combinations have only rarely been observed on both sides. The ball rarely gets into the last third. Scoring chances are scarce.
25
16:25
Witsel tries a long-range shot. The ball is blocked.
24
16:24
The game has lost some of its pace. Both teams make mistakes in midfield. So there are no actions in the penalty area.
21
16:20
It’s a very entertaining game. Croatia has more of the ball. Belgium prefers counterattacks.
18
16:18
Croatia’s penalty is withdrawn. Lovren was ruled offside when Modrić free-kicked. Therefore, the following foul by Carrasco is invalid.
17
16:17
The penalty decision is checked again by VAR. Taylor walks over to the screen and looks at it for herself.
15
16:15
There are penalties for Croatia! After a Modrić free-kick, Belgium cannot clear properly. Then Carrasco steps on Kramarić’s foot. Taylor immediately awards a penalty.
13.
16:14
Belgium counters Croatia. De Bruyne sets the pace in the centre. Modrić can’t keep up. Then De Bruyne plays at the right moment on Mertens, who flicks the inside right onto the far post from 16 meters out. But the shot slips and goes over it relatively clearly. Mertens has done that before.
11.
16:12
Belgium comes dangerously into the penalty area for the first time. Mertens brings the ball low from the right side to the second post. Carrasco cannot close directly. He arranges the ball and then shoots from an unfavorable position to the near corner. Livaković saves the shot without any problems. Carrasco should have looked for the teammate.
10
16:11
Witsel plays a good long ball into Mertens’ run. But Livaković is on the post and intercepts the pass.
8th.
16:08
It’s an intense game that’s currently mostly taking place in midfield. But you have the feeling that one of the two teams could break through at any time.
5.
16:05
Belgium are now getting out of their own half again and again. Croatia offers space due to its offensive orientation. So far, however, the Red Devils have not come to an end.
2.
16:02
Croatia starts offensively. The runner-up world champion apparently doesn’t want to miss a beat and cement first place with a win.
1.
16:01
Croatia has the first chance after less than ten seconds. A long ball lands on the left corner of Perišić’s box. The former Bundesliga player pulls into the middle and shoots at the long angle with his right. The ball just misses.
15:33
Roberto Martínez makes four changes to Belgium’s 2-0 draw with Morocco. Yellow suspended Onana is represented by Dendoncker. The two Hazard brothers rotate onto the bench. For them, Carrasco and Trossard start in attacking midfield. In addition, Mertens starts up front instead of Batshuayi.
15:30
On the staff: Zlatko Dalić sends the same eleven to Croatia as they did in the 4-1 win over Canada.
15:21
The situation in Belgium is much more tense. The 2018 World Cup bronze medalist needs a win if he doesn’t want to be dependent on Canadian marksmanship. A draw is only enough for Belgium if Morocco loses at the same time by several goals. So the route should be clear. However, the last two appearances do not give much hope. Roberto Martínez’s team scored a close 1-0 against Canada. A deserved 2-0 defeat followed against Morocco. So far, Belgium has offered very little offensively and the Red Devils are always vulnerable at the back. A golden generation could end today.
15:16
Croatia has everything in their own hands today. With a win, the vice world champion of 2018 is sure to be first in the group. A draw is definitely enough to progress. But then you would only be top of the group if Morocco didn’t win against Canada at the same time. In the event of a defeat, the Croatians will only progress if Morocco does not score any points in the parallel game and at the same time Croatia’s defeat is not significantly higher than Morocco’s.
15:05
Hello and welcome to the final matchday of Group F at the FIFA World Cup 2022. Today at 4pm Croatia meets Belgium.