Croatia 0-0 Belgium
Croatia scraped into the World Cup last 16 after a tension-filled 0-0 draw with Belgium that ensured the last hurrah of their opponents’ ‘golden generation’ ended in a dismal group-stage exit on Thursday.
Roberto Martinez’s Belgium side, ranked second in the world and semi-finalists four years ago, needed a win at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to keep their hopes alive but could not break down the Croats who finished as Group F runners up behind Morocco.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku fluffed four golden chances to break the deadlock as Belgium cast off the shackles in the second half, although Croatia, who would have gone home had they lost, had their own opportunities to find a winner.
A lot has been made of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, a collection of prodigious talents from the biggest clubs, who have perennially been among the favourites at international tournaments for the best part of a decade.
Yet they have never tasted glory and with the brightest lights, such as Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, already north of 30, it is unlikely they will get another chance at the World Cup.
In a symbolic act of closure, Martinez announced that his six-year spell with the national team was over, with his contract expiring at the end of the World Cup.
“That was my last game with the national team and it was emotional as you can imagine,” he told reporters.
Croatia, who next play the winners of Group E, finished with five points, two behind Morocco who beat already-eliminated Canada 2-1 to top the table. Belgium were third with four points after winning just one of their three games.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic, having shrugged off questions about their shortcomings in comparison to the side that finished runners-up four years ago, was in a confident mood.
“It doesn’t matter which team we face, if we play at this level we fear no one,” he said.
