Match report

Croatia and Belgium Draw 0-0 in World Cup Match

Croatia
Croatia
0–0
FT
Belgium
Belgium
Dec 1, 2022

Croatia held off Belgium in a closely fought encounter during their World Cup group stage match, resulting in a scoreless tie. The game was marked by tactical battles and several key substitutions that altered the momentum.

Key Facts

  • • Match ended 0-0.
  • • A. Kramaric of Croatia had a penalty overturned at minute 17 due to VAR intervention.
  • • Dries Mertens substituted for Romelu Lukaku in the second half (minute 46).
  • • Lukas Trossard replaced Thomas Hazard on the Belgian side (minute 59).
  • • Yannick Carrasco and Youri Tielemans came on as substitutes for Belgium at minute 72.

Lineups

Croatia

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Livaković (G)
  • 22 J. Juranović (D)
  • 6 D. Lovren (D)
  • 20 J. Gvardiol (D)
  • 19 B. Sosa (D)
  • 10 L. Modrić (M)
  • 11 M. Brozović (M)
  • 8 M. Kovačić (M)
  • 9 A. Kramarić (F)
  • 14 M. Livaja (F)
  • 4 I. Perišić (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 B. Petković
  • 15 M. Pašalić
  • 7 L. Majer
  • 23 I. Ivušić
  • 3 B. Barišić
  • 24 J. Šutalo
  • 25 L. Sučić
  • 21 D. Vida
  • 12 I. Grbić
  • 17 A. Budimir
  • 13 N. Vlašić
  • 5 M. Erlić
  • 18 M. Oršić
  • 2 J. Stanišić
  • 26 K. Jakić

Belgium

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 T. Courtois (G)
  • 15 T. Meunier (D)
  • 2 T. Alderweireld (D)
  • 5 J. Vertonghen (D)
  • 21 T. Castagne (D)
  • 19 L. Dendoncker (M)
  • 6 A. Witsel (M)
  • 7 K. De Bruyne (M)
  • 14 D. Mertens (M)
  • 11 Y. Carrasco (M)
  • 17 L. Trossard (F)

Substitutes

  • 9 R. Lukaku
  • 16 T. Hazard
  • 25 J. Doku
  • 8 Y. Tielemans
  • 10 E. Hazard
  • 23 M. Batshuayi
  • 3 A. Theate
  • 13 K. Casteels
  • 20 H. Vanaken
  • 4 W. Faes
  • 12 S. Mignolet
  • 24 L. Openda
  • 22 C. De Ketelaere
  • 26 Z. Debast

Timeline

  1. Croatia
    17' Croatia Var · Penalty cancelled
    A. Kramaric
  2. Belgium
    46' Belgium subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Dries Mertens · On: R. Lukaku
  3. Belgium
    59' Belgium subst · Substitution 2
    Off: L. Trossard · On: T. Hazard
  4. Croatia
    64' Croatia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Livaja · On: B. Petković
  5. Croatia
    64' Croatia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Kramaric · On: M. Pasalic
  6. Belgium
    66' Belgium Card · Yellow Card
    L. Dendoncker

    Foul

  7. Belgium
    72' Belgium subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Yannick Carrasco · On: J. Doku
  8. Belgium
    72' Belgium subst · Substitution 4
    Off: L. Dendoncker · On: Y. Tielemans
  9. Belgium
    87' Belgium subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Meunier · On: E. Hazard
  10. Croatia
    90'+2 Croatia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Kovačić · On: L. Majer

Match Stats

Stat Croatia Belgium
Fouls 7 9
Pass Accuracy 85% 88%
Offsides 4 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 16
Corners 2 4
Total Passes 554 593
Yellow Cards 0 1
Blocked Shots 1 5
Shots on Target 4 3
Shots off Target 6 8
Possession 48% 52%
Accurate Passes 471 521
Shots Inside Box 7 13
Saves 3 4
Shots Outside Box 4 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The game's momentum shifted slightly when VAR cancelled a penalty awarded to Croatia in the early stages of the match, denying them an early lead.
  • ▸ Belgium brought on multiple substitutes including Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco which provided fresh legs but failed to break down Croatia's defense.