Croatia validated their ticket to the round of 16 of the World Cup by pocketing the point of the draw once morest a disappointing Belgian team (0-0), whose coach Roberto Martinez resigned. The Croats thus accompany Morocco, winner of Canada (2-1). The Atlas Lions finish in 1st place in this group F.
Aging, the promising generation of Belgian football has probably let slip its last opportunity to conquer a big title. Sometimes mistreated by Croatia, it did not however go far from victory – and therefore from qualification, as when a shot from Romelu Lukaku hit the post in the 60th.
But the troop of Roberto Martinez – who only introduced his captain Eden Hazard in the 87th – did not manage to find the fault. She also lacked efficiency and lucidity, like the same Lukaku who nevertheless found himself alone 3 meters from the Croatian goal in the 90th minute… Unfortunate finalists of the 2018 edition, Luka Modric and his partners didn’t steal anything. Dominated at the start of the game, Zlatko Dalic’s men might have “killed” the match without the class of Thibaut Courtois. This elimination of the “Devils” caused the resignation of coach Martinez.
Moroccan mastery
In a position of strength before this day, Morocco has mastered its subject once morest a team of Canada already eliminated. The Atlas Lions secured the coup in the first half hour thanks to goals from Hakim Ziyech, who took advantage of a blunder from Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan from the 4th, and Youssef En-Nesyri (23rd , 2-0).
Walid Regragui’s troupe allows Morocco to climb for the second time in its history in the round of 16 of a World Cup. Beaten 1-0 by the FRG in 1986 for their only appearance at this stage of the competition, the Moroccans might find Germany on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
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