After opening the scoring in four of their last five matches against nations ranked inside the top 10 of FIFA’s World Rankings, Croatia were inches from taking a very early lead. Ivan Perišić came inches away from breaking the record for the fastest goal in World Cup history with less than 10 seconds on the clock as his fearsome strike flew past the far post. With the news filtering through to the stadium that Morocco had taken the lead against already-eliminated Canada, Yannick Carrasco created Belgium’s first opportunity of the contest, as Dominik Livaković sublimely denied the Atlético Madrid winger.
Knowing only a victory would be enough to progress to the knockout stages with Morocco doubling their lead, the footballing gods handed Roberto Martínez’s side a much-needed reprieve shortly after the quarter-hour. Pointing to the penalty spot without hesitation after Carrasco brought down Andrej Kramarić, referee Anthony Taylor reversed his initial decision following VAR’s suggestion of a marginal offside in the build-up.
In the knowledge that a point would be enough to cement their place in the Round of 16, Croatia began the second half brightly, as Thibaut Courtois was forced into a hat-trick of sublime saves to prevent Zlatko Dalić’s side from taking the lead. Despite the introduction of Romelu Lukaku at half time, Belgium remained on the back foot approaching the hour-mark as they headed for a demoralising group-stage elimination from the tournament.
With the ever-so influential figure of Lukaku now on the pitch, the Inter Milan striker should have been reeling off in celebration with his teammates, not once but twice, within 60 seconds. Instead, after striking the post following Josip Juranović’s heroic goal-saving block, the towering number nine somehow headed over with an open goal at his mercy.
Further Belgian chances went begging in the final minutes, meaning a share of the spoils in Al Rayyan secures Croatia's progression to the Round of 16, with Dalić’s side set to face the winners of Group E. In contrast, Martínez's faith in an ageing golden generation will be the main talking point as the second-ranked nation in world football failed to make their way out of the group stages.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joško Gvardiol (Croatia)
