A string of missed chances proved costly for Belgium as 2018 runners-up Croatia held their nerves to hold off the World No.2 side in a goalless but thrilling draw to reach the World Cup last 16 stage yesterday.
The Luka Modric-led side, with four points from one win and a draw prior to their final Group F game, only needed a point against the Belgians to advance.
Morocco’s 2-0 win over Canada in the other group fixture at Al Thumama Stadium sent Belgium packing from the group stage for sixth time in their 14th appearance at the finals.
“I expected a difficult match against Belgium. Belgium cannot play three bad matches in a row,” the jubilant Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said after the game.
Croatia team members celebrate after the Qatar World Cup Group F match against Belgium at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 1, 2022. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
Dalic admitted his side were fortunate that Belgium missed a number of scoring opportunities.
“We had some chances against us but it didn’t change our mindset... We were lucky they didn’t take their chances.”
Belgium’s talisman Romelu Lukaku came close to scoring on at least three occasions late in the match after his strike hit the post in the 62nd minute.
Desperate for a goal with few minutes remaining until the final whistle, Belgium brought in another key man, Eden Hazard, but he also failed to make any difference.
Defender Timothy Castagne backed his team-mate Lukaku and said the Inter Milan striker who is Belgium’s record goalscorer, can’t be blamed for failing to score.
Croatia’s players and team members celebrate at the end of their match against Belgium at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, yesterday. AFP
“I wouldn’t say he’s the anti-hero because he’s there for the chances, he also creates them, he gives, he keeps the ball,” Castagne said.
“Maybe if he’s not there, we don’t have those chances. I don’t think we can blame him, he gave everything, he tried. If it doesn’t go in, it doesn’t go in.”
Lukaku returned from an injury and had only played few minutes in the tournament.
In the aftermath of the shocking defeat, Roberto Martinez announced his relief from coaching duties, ending his six-year reign with the Red Devils.
However, Martinez said it has nothing to do with the early exit from Qatar 2022.
“That was the end, whatever would happen, whether we were world champions, whether we went out in the group stage,” he said.
“It’s got nothing to do with being eliminated in the group stage.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku reacts after missing a chance to score. REUTERS
“Since 2018 I had many opportunities to leave, take jobs at club level, but I wanted to be loyal. I don’t resign, it’s the end of my contract,” Martinez said.
With Morocco making it to the top of the Group F table with seven points, Croatia finished the stage on second spot with five points as Belgium and Canada made exit.
Croatia will face the winners of Group E Japan who stunned former champions Spain with a 2-1 win at the Khalifa International Stadium in the late match
last night.
“It’s very important that we are in the round of 16,” Modric told reporters before Croatia’s last-16 opponents were determined.
“I don’t have any preferences for the next round. Whoever our opponent is we will give our best.”
“We will fight, we will try to spare no effort whether it’s Spain, Costa Rica, Japan, or Germany. All will be difficult but they will also have a difficult time against Croatia,” Modric said.