“The golden generation” Martinez defends Belgium and plays down unrest
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
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:53
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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!
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:51
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:47
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:45
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:41
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:38
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:36
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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?
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:32
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:31
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Croatia 0-0 Belgium
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.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 16:27