"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 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.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
63 mins: The replays show that Josip Juranovic got a slight deflection on Lukaku’s effort which took the ball onto the post. That could be a monumental block if Croatia end up going through.
De Bruyne lifts another cross onto Lukaku’s head but he puts the effort over the crossbar this time. The ball had rolled over the byline though before De Bruyne passed it so any goal wouldn’t have counted.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
60 mins: Off the woodwork! How has Lukaku missed this?
On the half turn Kevin De Bruyne slides a pass into the box for Yannick Carrasco who shrugs off a defender and pokes the ball at goal forcing Dominik Livakovic into a sharp save.
The ball rebounds out to Romelu Lukaku who fizzes a right-footed shot at goal and drills it into the nearest post!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
57 mins: Sosa is played into space on the left hand side allowing him to lift another cross into the box for Croatia but he puts it too close to Courtois who plucks the ball out of the add.
Thorgan Hazard is then introduced as a replacement for Leandro Trossard.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
54 mins: Save! Thibaut Courtois is called into action once more. Sosa floats a chipped pass into the box for Livaja who chests it down before giving the ball to Kovacic.
He feeds it across to Brozovic who drills a shot at goal and forces the Belgium goalkeeper into a sharp stop to his right!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
51 mins: Save! Croatia seem to have sensed more purpose from Belgium and sweep up the pitch to create a chance of their own. Josko Gvardiol dances into the area before sliding a pass over to Mateo Kovacic who curls an effort at goal that Thibaut Courtois tips over the crossbar!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
48 mins: Belgium are immediately playing better. Romelu Lukaku gives them a focal point in the penalty area, giving Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard someone to aim for.
They work the ball slickly over to the right side where De Bruyne has a cross knocked out for a corner. The ball comes back to midfielder following the set piece and his lifts one over to the back post where Lukaku meets it with a header and sends the ball into the arms of Domink Livakovic.
Second half: Croatia 0-0 Belgium
Kick off: Roberto Martinez makes a change at half-time with Romelu Lukaku coming on to replace Dries Mertens. Can Belgium’s record goalscorer send them through to the knockout rounds?
Belgium kick off the second half desperately needing a goal.
HT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
The other Group F match of the day currently has Morocco leading 2-1 at half-time. As it stands Morocco are winning the group with Croatia edging through at the expense of Belgium.
The Red Devils need a goal.
HT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(REUTERS)