Croatia 0-0 Belgium Live Score, FIFA World Cup: VAR cancels penalty awarded to Croatia; CRO v BEL Half-time updates; Morocco 2-1 Canada

Welcome to Sportstar’s reside protection of the FIFA World Cup Group F conflict between Croatia and Belgium. That is Nihit Sachdeva taking you thru the reside motion because it unfolds on the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Ar-Rayyan.

HALF-TIME: CROATIA 0-0 BELGIUM

The half-time whistle has been blown. As issues stand, Morocco goes by way of to the spherical of 16 because the group topper with Croatia in second place. Belgium merely has to beat Croatia as a way to proceed its keep in Qatar. Huge 45 minutes developing. Keep tuned!

45+4’

Croatia comes near scoring the opening purpose as Kramaric places in a cross into the Belgian field from the fitting, Perisic makes a run within the center and tries to move it in however doesn’t get any contact by any means. The half ends with a volley from Juranovic going large.

45+3’

Foul on Kovacic by Dendoncker. Belgians are clearly annoyed. In the meantime, Morocco appeared to have taken a 3-1 lead in opposition to Canada however the purpose has been dominated offside.

45+2’

Modric tries to lob the Belgian defender and put Kramaric by way of on the fitting wing however the ball goes out for Belgium throw-in.

4 minutes of added time.

45’

Lengthy-range effort from Sosa from the sting of the Belgian field however will get beneath the ball just a bit bit greater than he would have appreciated. Blazes it over the bar.

42’

In the meantime, Belgium has simply wasted most likely its finest likelihood as Dendoncker takes the ball contained in the field from the fitting, cuts it again for Mertens on the close to put up however his contact sends the ball throughout the face of the purpose earlier than being cleared away.

41’

Replace from Morocco vs Canada: Morocco’s lead has been decreased to 2-1 after an personal purpose from Nayef Aguerd. Not the best way you’d wish to rating the event’s one centesimal purpose.

40’

Aerial ball from Belgium however it’s only a bit an excessive amount of for Trossard who makes the run into the Croatian field. Purpose kick for Croatia.

39’

Free kick to Croatia after Witsel’s foul on Brozovic close to the middle line.

37’

Modric dispossessed close to the center-line. Nevertheless, Belgian fails to utilize the chance whereas charging in direction of the Croatian field as Perisic places in an incredible defending effort on the sting of his personal field.

35’

Carrasco chips in a cross from the left contained in the Croatian field however it’s headed away on the far put up by a play within the red-and-white chequered jersey.

33’

Brozovic shot from the sting of the field is blocked. Moments later, Modric places in a cross from the left, Livaja heads it nevertheless it goes over the bar because the Croatian performed didn’t place himself completely.

32’

Affected person play from Belgium close to the Croatian field, on the lookout for a means by way of. Mertens sends in a cross from the left nevertheless it leads to the Crimson Devils shedding possession.

30’

Possession stats after one-third of the match being performed: Croatia – 49%, Belgium – 43%, Neither crew in management – 8%

27’

Nook for Croatia. Modric with the supply, Witsel heads it out.

25’

Mertens takes the ball contained in the Croatian field from the left earlier than laying it up for Witsel on the sting of the field. Witsel’s long-range effort is blocked. With Morocco cruising in opposition to Canada, Belgium has to win tonight. A draw is not going to be sufficient.

23’

Replace from Morocco vs Canada: Youssef En Nesyri doubles the lead for the African nation!

19’

Juranovic with a run down the fitting wing earlier than placing the cross in. Nevertheless, no Croatian participant might get a correct contact on the ball.

18’

Belgium breathes a sigh of reduction because the Penalty has been dominated out after a VAR test resulting from offside play from Lovren. One other VAR controversy which might be talked about in some element.

15’

PENALTY TO CROATIA!!! It was a free-kick for Croatia. Modric despatched it into the Belgium field. Within the effort to clear it, Carrasco ended up fouling Kramaric. Nevertheless, there’s a VAR test for potential offside.

13’

Kevin De Bruyne with a blistering run down the center earlier than placing Mertens by way of on the left however he sends the ball over the bar.

12’

Mertens hits the nook kick which is headed away by a Croatian participant on the sting of the field.

11’

A lot better from Belgium. Mertens with an exquisite cross from the fitting finds Carrasco on the far put up whose shot is blocked behind by Juranovic for a Belgium nook.

10’

Carrasco takes the ball into the Croatian field from the left and goes for the shot however it’s blocked effectively by the Croatian defence.

7’

Witsel with a foul. Croatia has a free-kick inside its personal half.

4’

Replace from Morocco vs Canada – Ziyech places the African nation forward within the fourth minute after a blunder from the Canadian goalkeeper. As issues stand, Morocco is prime of the group!

2’

Aggressive begin from Croatia because it controls the ball contained in the Belgian field however simply fails to discover a means by way of to check Courtois.

1’

KICK OFF!!! Croatia, in its well-known crimson and white chequered jerseys, begins issues off. The 2018 runner-up will play from left to proper whereas the Belgians, of their conventional crimson and black outfit, play from proper to left. Perisic with a shot underneath 10 seconds!!!! Perisic from the left contained in the Belgium field goes for the highest proper nook however the ball goes large.

8:24PM IST – The 2 groups step onto the pitch. Time for the nationwide anthems. First up, Croatia, adopted by Belgium.

Will Kevin De Bruyne be capable of take Belgium by way of to the spherical of 16 with an inspiring efficiency tonight?

Outdated is gold?

Qualification Situations

A draw for top-placed Croatia in opposition to Belgium might be ample to see it by way of to the knockouts. In case Croatia loses and Canada beats Morocco, the purpose distinction will determine the second qualifier (both Croatia or Morocco).

Belgium will qualify if it beats Croatia. Nevertheless, if it’s a draw then Belgium must look ahead to the results of the opposite sport. If Morocco beat or performs out a draw with Canada, Belgium will exit the event.

Right here’s the Group F factors desk after two rounds

FORM GUIDE

Croatia

• ⦿
  Beat Canada 4-1
• ⦿
  Drew 0-0 with Morocco
• ⦿
  Beat Saudi Arabia 1-0
• ⦿
  Beat Austria 3-1
• ⦿
  Beat Denmark 2-1

Belgium

• ⦿
  Misplaced 0-2 to Morocco
• ⦿
  Beat Canada 1-0
• ⦿
  Misplaced 1-2 to Egypt
• ⦿
  Misplaced 0-1 to Netherlands
• ⦿
  Beat Wales 2-1

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

LINEUPS!!!

Croatia: Livakovic (GK), Perisic, Lovren, Kovacic, Kramaric, Modric (c), Brozovic, Livaja, Sosa, Gvardiol, Juranovic

Belgium: Courtois (GK), Alderweireld, Dendoncker, Vertonghen, Meunier, Witsel, Castagne, De Bruyne (c), Carrasco, Mertens, Trossard

MATCH PREVIEW (through Reuters)

When Belgium was overwhelmed by France in its 2018 World Cup semifinal there was some grumbling that the higher crew had misplaced and the so-called ‘golden era’ had been robbed of its place within the remaining in opposition to Croatia.

Quick-forward 4 years and Belgium will get the possibility to point out what may need been in opposition to the Croats in a Group F encounter on Thursday that will lack the status of the event’s showpiece finale however stays an acutely vital sport for each side.

The group is finely balanced.

Croatia is prime, stage on 4 factors with Morocco and a degree away from Belgium with three, whereas backside facet Canada’s hopes have already been extinguished.

Belgium, ranked second on the planet, should win to ensure its place within the final 16, whereas 2018 runner-up Croatia want solely a degree to make sure it should stay in Qatar past the group stage.

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Roberto Martinez’s facet has been among the many most disappointing of the favourites thus far, with a slender win over Canada and a humbling 2-0 defeat by Morocco resulting in questions on whether or not this era of Belgian gold has misplaced its lustre.

This was seemingly the view of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who was quoted in an interview with The Guardian dismissing his facet’s probabilities on the event as a result of “we’re too outdated”.

They’re actually not the oldest squad on the event, that honour goes to Iran, however there are issues in regards to the health and type of some key stalwarts.

Eden Hazard’s lack of taking part in time at Actual Madrid this season, the place he has began just one LaLiga sport, has left him looking for match sharpness, whereas striker Romelu Lukaku, who got here on within the 81st minute in opposition to Morocco, is one other who’s lower than pace.

Martinez pointed extra to psychological elements than bodily in his autopsy following their defeat to Morocco.

“We’ve got to remain collectively now and grow to be stronger. I do know this group, we might be prepared for Croatia,” he mentioned.

“We haven’t been the very best Belgium at this World Cup but. Right this moment I assumed we performed with the worry of shedding. With out the ball we nonetheless work for one another however when we have now the ball, we don’t stand out, we aren’t ourselves. We’ve got to work on that.”

Croatia’s event additionally started with a dull efficiency in opposition to Morocco, though the goalless draw offered a platform for it to kick-on in opposition to Canada.

It regarded far sharper in Sunday’s 4-1 win, with Andrej Kramaric’s double strike dispelling doubts about whether or not it lacks a innovative up entrance.

A draw would see it over the road however coach Zlatko Dalic dominated out taking part in for such a state of affairs.

“We should not settle for the choice of getting just one level to finish the match with Belgium,” he mentioned.

“There are not any simple video games (on the World Cup). Belgium want a win however we will even purpose for a win.”