Belgium - the 3rd place team at the 2018 World Cup - did not play well in this year's group stage. They beat Canada 1-0 in a lackluster match, then lost to Morocco 0-2 in a disguised, over-the-top situation. With only 3 points/2 matches, the "Red Devils" will definitely advance if they defeat Croatia. In the event of a draw, they will only advance if Morocco loses to Canada by 4 goals or more - a very unlikely possibility.
belgian must play better. The players have to show that on the pitch. We still have a quality squad and came here to win. They lack confidence and accuracy in their final passes or breakthroughs. That needs to change, said Belgium captain Eden Hazard.
That lack of confidence was especially evident in the final third, when Belgium scored just one goal from 19 shots. Their conversion rate of chances into goals is 5.3%, their lowest level in a single World Cup, since 1982 a tournament in which they have scored just three goals in 93 shots (3.2%).
Belgium have lost 3/4 of their most recent matches in all competitions. The loss to Morocco also ended their 13-match unbeaten streak in the World Cup group stage. However, the "Red Devils" have been unbeaten against Croatia in all 3 recent meetings, including a narrow 1-0 victory in June 2021. That has given Roberto Martinez and his team confidence.
Meanwhile, Croatia (4 points) also had impressive statistics before this decisive match. They have been unbeaten in all 5 recent World Cup group stage matches, winning 4 and drawing 1. In 10 meetings with European teams at the World Cup, Croatia have lost just twice to France in 1998 and 2018. In the last 8 matches, Zlatko Dalic's team is unbeaten and expanded, they have only lost 1/18 of their most recent matches.
Croatia will put their faith in Amdrej Kramaric, who scored a double against Canada. On the Belgian side, they will rely on Romelu Lukaku, who scored 3 goals for the Belgian team in the last 2 wins over Croatia. Lukaku has only recovered from injury and has only had the right... 3 touches in the past 2 matches.
The Croatia - Belgium match takes place at 22:00 on December 1.
