Croatia and Belgium meet at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, knowing that either of Group F’s two heavyweights could be heading for the World Cup’s final goal.
In their ninth international meeting, the stakes are high this time as both chase the victory that will likely be required to secure a place in the last 16.
Belgium were widely expected to lead the field in this group – after all, they were world number two going into the Qatar tournament – but a surprise defeat by Morocco last time out left them on the sidelines.
Croatia’s aging squad may be past its prime but with Luka Modric still pulling the strings in midfield they remain a potent threat.
The Sporting News is following live scoring updates and highlights for Croatia vs Belgium at the 2022 World Cup. Below are the full results of the Group F game in Qatar.
MORE: TSN experts’ best bets, predictions and tips on Croatia vs Belgium
Croatia vs Belgium live score
| team | PTS | gp | W | L | D | GF | GA | DG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Croatia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
| 2. Morocco | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| 3. Belgium | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 4. Canada-E | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -4 |
Goals:
none
Planned lineups:
Expected Croatia line-up (4-3-3, right to left): 1 Livakovic — 22 Juranovic, 6 Lovren, 20 Gvardiol, 19 Sosa — 10 Modric, 11 Brozovic, 8 Kovacic — 13 Vlasic, 9 Kramaric, 16 Petkovic
Expected Belgium line-up (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1 Courtois – 15 Meunier 2 Alderweireld 5 Vertonghen 21 Castagne – 6 Witsel 8 Tielemans – 7 De Bruyne 10 E Hazard 16 T Hazard – 9 Lukaku
MORE: Watch every World Cup game live with fuboTV (free trial only in US)
Croatia vs Belgium live updates, World Cup 2022 highlights
3 hours after kick-off: If this game ends in a draw today, Croatia will be through, but Belgium would need to beat Canada by at least two goals against Morocco to have a chance. Martinez must win, in which case Croatia would require a Moroccan defeat in the other game.
3 hrs 30 mins from kick-off: Some early team news for you, with Croatia expected to be unchanged from the side that beat Canada 4-1 last time out. Nikola Vlasic is likely to be sidelined again through injury, while Luka Modric is expected to start despite a booking.
Belgium is without Amadou Onana suspended to allow Youri Tielemans to return to midfield. Romelu Lukaku could be fit enough to start.
Here’s an article about the expected starting lineups for both sides.
4 hours after kick-off: Croatia and Belgium both have serious World Cup pedigrees. But with Morocco on pole to qualify, you suspect something will have to change between two of the 2018 semi-finalists today.
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe this highlights reel ????
Croatia’s best ever #FIFA World Cup Goals will have you ???? #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/kJX82caGuT
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022
4 hrs 30 mins from kick-off: Kevin de Bruyne has already denounced Belgium’s chances of winning this World Cup, admitting that many of his side are too old and that 2018 was their best chance. Roberto Martinez has also claimed that there is a “desire for negative news” within his team.
It all adds up to some dissatisfaction within the Belgian camp on the eve of this crucial duel.
5 hours after kick-off: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ coverage of this Group F showdown between Croatia and Belgium. This is the fight of the almost men. Croatia were ‘almost’ world champions in 2018, while Belgium have been touted for years as a side with the individual talent to go on and dominate one of the biggest stages, but they never delivered. Today could be the latest chapter in this story as they chase the win they need to qualify for the knockout rounds. Stay tuned because this could get action packed!
Now more than ever. ????????❤️ https://t.co/B5kqeoKeZi
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 28, 2022
Croatia vs Belgium lineups, team news
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic is likely to refresh his squad for this game to give his veteran fighters a chance to catch a much-needed break with the Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic among those who were able to rest on the bench
Nikola Vlasic came off the bench as part of his return to full fitness against Canada and the Torino loan spell could start alongside Bruno Petkovic.
Expected Croatia line-up (4-3-3, right to left): 1 Livakovic — 22 Juranovic, 6 Lovren, 20 Gvardiol, 19 Sosa — 10 Modric, 11 Brozovic, 8 Kovacic — 13 Vlasic, 9 Kramaric, 16 Petkovic
Roberto Martinez is also considering changes as his Belgium squad enter the Last Chance Saloon.
Star from Leicester City Youri Tielemans expected to return to midfield in place of the suspended one Amadou Onanabut the big call will be forthcoming Romelu LukakuFitness, following a cameo from the bench against Morocco. There’s also a chance Martinez will give up his long-used 3-4-3 to unleash Belgium’s attacking potential.
Expected Belgium line-up (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1 Courtois – 15 Meunier 2 Alderweireld 5 Vertonghen 21 Castagne – 6 Witsel 8 Tielemans – 7 De Bruyne 10 E Hazard 16 T Hazard – 9 Lukaku
Croatia vs Belgium Live Stream, TV Channels
This last game of Group F will be played at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. So you can follow all the action in some of the most important global territories.
| date | time | TV channel | stream | |
| United States of America | Thu, Dec 1 | 10:00 a.m. ET | Fox Telemundo |
fuboTV, Fox Sports website/app, Telemundo Deportes website/app, peacock |
| Canada | Thu, Dec 1 | 10:00 a.m. ET | TSN, RDS 2 (French) | TSN site/app, RDS app |
| United Kingdom | Thu, Dec 1 | 15:00 GMT | BBC One | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website |
| Australia | Fri, Dec 2 | 02:00 AEDT | SBS | SBS on call |
| India | Thu, Dec 1 | 20:30 IST | sports18 | voot |
| Hong Kong | Thu, Dec 1 | 23:00 CET | Now TV (chap. 616, 618) | TV now |
| Malaysia | Thu, Dec 1 | 23:00 MYTH | Astro FIFA World Cup 1 | Astro GO |
| Singapore | Thu, Dec 1 | 23:00 CEST | StarHub FIFA World Cup, Single FIFA World Cup 141 |
SingleTV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatch |
| New Zealand | Fri, Dec 2 | 04:00 NZDT | Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports | Sky Go, Sky Sports NOW |