Croatia vs Belgium Odds & Recap
Top European Sides Face Off
âš½Croatia vs Belgium: Game Recapâš½
Results: Croatia 0-0 Belgium
Another giant has fallen, and Belgium is out of the World Cup following a goalless draw with Croatia.
Belgium ranked second in FIFA’s world rankings, only behind Brazil, and finished the group stage with just four points to their name. Their early exit could spell the end of Belgium’s so-called ‘golden generation’ team, including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard.
Belgium rarely tested Croatia despite knowing they almost certainly needed to claim all three points to prolong their stay in Qatar. Croatia pushed for an opener in the first half and was awarded a penalty before VAR stepped in for an offside.
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez threw on Lukaku, still working his way back to full fitness, at the half-time interval. Still, the Inter Milan striker could not add to his 68 international goals.
Lukaku had a great chance to open the scoring on the hour mark, but he wasted the opportunity when he smashed the ball against the post inside the penalty area. He spurned another chance soon after when his header went high over the crossbar before replays showed the ball had gone out of play before De Bruyne’s cross. Lukaku looked like he would be Belgium’s hero in the 90th minute, but he could not turn Thorgan Hazard’s cross home from three yards out.
Josko Gvardiol stopped Lukaku from tapping home moments after with a last-ditch challenge at the death.
Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in the other Group F fixture to progress alongside Croatia.
 Croatia | – |  Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| 48% | Possession | 52% |
| 11 | Total Shots | 16 |
| 4 | Shots on Target | 3 |
| 6 | Shots Wide | 8 |
| 1 | Shots Blocked | 5 |
| 3 | Saves | 4 |
| 2 | Corners | 4 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 7 | Fouls | 9 |
| 4 | Offsides | 0 |
| 86% | Pass Accuracy | 88% |
| 3 | Dribbles | 7 |
| 21 | Crosses | 24 |
| 10 | Tackles | 13 |
Did We Get It Right?
Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 28, 2022.
Dream Group Stage Finale
It was clear when the World Cup draw came out that Croatia vs. Belgium’s Group F finale would be one of the standout group stage matches. What wasn’t clear is that they’d likely both need a result to advance to the round of 16. Belgium and Croatia were overwhelming favorites to make the knockout stage but their fate hangs in the balance. Croatia just need a draw and could potentially go through with a loss. Meanwhile, it’s highly doubtful anything less than a win will seal qualification for Belgium. In a crucial match for both sides, let’s run through the Croatia vs Belgium odds and preview the match.
Croatia vs Belgium
Date, time (TV):
Location: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al-Rayyan, Qatar
Streaming: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock
Team Standings and Odds:
| Team | FIFA World Ranking | World Cup Qualifying Record | Knockout Stage Odds | Odds to Win Group | Odds to Win World Cup |
| Croatia | 12 | 7-2-1, 1st UEFA Group H | -400 | -110 | +5000 |
| Belgium | 2 | 6-2-0, 1st UEFA Group E | +140 | +275 | +4500 |
| All Meetings: | Teams |
|---|---|
| Jun 2021: | Belgium 1-0 Croatia |
| Oct 2013: | Croatia 1-2 Belgium |
| Sep 2012: | Belgium 1-1 Croatia |
| Mar 2010: | Belgium 0-1 Croatia |
| Sep 2003: | Belgium 2-1 Croatia |
Belgium and Croatia have met a few times over the last decade, most recently in 2021. In a pre-Euro friendly last year, Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku scored the game’s only goal. In fact, Lukaku has scored Belgium’s last three goals vs. Croatia. He scored twice in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win in 2013. Croatia’s last win over Belgium was in 2010 and this is the first time to bet on the Croatia vs Belgium odds in a World Cup.
Croatia: Completed Comeback Win
Standings: 1-1-0, 4 pts, 1st
Previous Match: 4-1 W vs. Canada, 0-0 D vs. Morocco
Croatia’s second match of the World Cup got off to a difficult start. They conceded just after the minute mark to Canada and were on the back foot in the early stages of the match. An experienced Croatia side, led by Luka Modric, stayed patient and waited for their opportunities. Striker Andrej Kramaric got the equalizer after 36 minutes and Croatia added another goal before halftime.
In the second half, it was clear to see how this Croatia team made the final of the 2018 World Cup. They were clinical and caused Canada to fold. Kramaric added a second goal in the 70th minute and substitute Lovro Majer added another insurance goal that could prove to be important. Croatia’s 4-1 win vaulted them to the top of Group F FIFA World Cup standings and they’ve got one foot in the knockout stage.
There were questions about Croatia’s striker problem after their first match but Kramaric answered them. The Hoffenheim man was up to the task on Sunday and will be a key player for Croatia going forward. Croatia’s midfield is the strongest part of the team and they’ll be able to match up with a strong Belgian unit.
Belgium: Toothless in Second Match
Standings: 1-1, 3 pts, 3rd
Previous Match: 0-2 L vs. Morocco, 1-0 W vs. Canada
Belgium’s performance vs Canada in their first match was highly concerning. Despite getting a 1-0 win, they were second best for the vast majority of the match. The Red Devils put on a similarly poor performance in their second match vs. Morocco. Romelu Lukaku was still on the bench nursing an injury and Belgium failed to score.
Morocco got two second half goals to earn their first World Cup win since 1998. Belgium may need Lukaku, who was only able to play nine minutes vs. Morocco, to get over the line vs. Croatia. It would be a huge disappointment if the group described as Belgium’s golden generation fails to advance to the knockout stage. Yet, unless they win it’s highly likely they’ll be heading home early. Belgium show a +140 price to advance but this group has looked low on confidence.
Roberto Martinez may be forced to switch things around for the match. Belgium have lacked ideas and it’ll be interesting to see if they set up with two defensive midfielders again. Belgium have too much talent not to at least put up a fight. Expect Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne to be motivated in what could be their last World Cup appearance. Regardless, this is a crucial match for them on the FIFA schedule.
Match Analysis and Odds:
The Croatia vs Belgium Odds imply that this will be one of the most competitive matches of the group stage. It’s listed as a pick’em and Belgium show -115 odds to cover, while Croatia come in at -105 odds. Any outcome is possible, with Croatia showing +175 odds, Belgium sitting at +160 and a draw priced at +235.
These teams have consistently played close matches vs. each other. The last five meetings have ended in a draw or been decided by a single goal. This one’s certainly expected to be more of the same and not too high scoring.
Under 2½ goals sits at -120 odds and only one goal was scored the last time they played.
Croatia did look incredibly threatening vs. Canada on Sunday, though. If Romelu Lukaku is healthy enough to start the match, Belgium figure to pose more of an attacking threat. It’s certainly worth monitoring updates regarding his status. Even without Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne are more than capable of an individual moment of brilliance. It may take one for Belgium to stay in the tournament.
