World Cup 2022 highlights: Belgium bounced after draw with Croatia
The 2022 FIFA World Cup continued Thursday on FOX with Group F in the spotlight, as Croatia (1-2-0) and Belgium (1-1-1) ended with a stalemate at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
After Belgium's defeat, Roberto Martínez confirmed that he will leave his role as head coach.
Elsewhere, on FS1, another Group F battle came to a close, as Morocco (2-1-0) narrowly took down Canada (0-0-3) to advance to the knockout stages for the first time since 1986 and just the second time in team history.
You can watch this game and every match of the tournament on the FOX Sports family of networks — the tournament's official English-language broadcast partner in the U.S. — and the FOX Sports app and FOXSports.com. You can also stream full-match replays for free on Tubi.
Here are the top plays!
1': Hot start!
Croatia didn't waste any time putting pressure on Belgium. Within seconds of the match starting, Ivan Perišić took a shot, but he just missed the net. The quick attempt brought fans to their feet, nonetheless.
13': What could have been
Belgium also set the tone right out of the gate, as Dries Mertens took an early shot following a fast break to try and get the game's first point on the board. He, too, was unable to connect, and things remained scoreless.
15': VAR comes into play
Minutes later, Croatia's Luka Modrić tried a through ball, but his teammate, Dejan Lovren, appeared to have been caught offside. However, after a VAR check, no penalty was given to Croatia, and the game continued.
Many attempts were exchanged as the first half unfolded, but things remained even at zero at the break.
49': Pressure cooker
Belgium star striker Romelu Lukaku entered the game in the second half, and he went straight to work.
54': Denied!
Croatia also turned up the heat after the break. Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois was busy saving one attempt after another as the second half unfolded.
60': Stunned
Lukaku was this close to putting Belgium on the board, but his wide-open shot hit the post, shocking fans — and himself.
62': Up and over
Minutes later, Lukaku had another opportunity to put Belgium on top, but his header was a bit too high.
Shortly after, Belgium's Leander Dendoncker was shown the first yellow card of the match, and he was promptly replaced by Youri Tielemans.
90': So close, yet so far away
Once again, Lukaku had a golden opportunity to seal the win for Belgium, but Croatia had other plans.
Just like that, things ended scoreless, and Croatia punched its ticket to the knockout stage.
Read more from the World Cup:
- World Cup 2022 live updates: Morocco advances after 2-1 defeat of Canada
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- Why USMNT captain Tyler Adams is the ideal leader for Gregg Berhalter's team
- USA's Tim Weah talks World Cup goal, beating Iran: ‘Moment of my life’
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- U.S. hero Christian Pulisic vows: ‘I’ll be ready on Saturday'
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- Christian Pulisic injury: USA star's status ahead of Netherlands match
- USMNT's World Cup message: We’re not done yet
- How does USA advance at World Cup? We track all Group B scenarios
- World Cup 2022 odds: Bettors win big with USMNT win over Iran, titles odds on move
- How to watch the 2022 World Cup on FOX: Times, channels, full match schedule
- Stu Holden's top 50 players at the World Cup
- 101 most memorable World Cup moments
Check out the full schedule for the World Cup and how to watch each match live here.
