World Cup Preview 2022, Croatia Vs Belgium: Hunting For Victory
JAKARTA - When Belgium, who is now ranked second in the world, was defeated by France in the 2018 World Cup semifinals, there were complaints that they were a better team filled with the country's golden generation.
Belgium felt it had been robbed from where it should have been in this edition of the final, against Croatia who will be his opponent in the final match of Group F of the 2022 World Cup.
Belgium had the opportunity to show what might have happened against Croatia in a Group F meeting that may be less prestige but remains a very important match for both sides.
Croatia topped Group F with four points equal to Morocco and one point ahead of Belgium with three points, while hopes the bottom team of Canada have been left out.
Belgium, second-ranked in the world, must win to guarantee their place in the round of 16, while Croatia, who are runners-up in the 2018 World Cup, only need one point to ensure a place of 16 large.
Roberto Martinez's side are one of the favorites to slump after a narrow win over Canada but a 0-2 fall in Morocco which sparked speculation that the Belgian golden generation was over.
Even playmaker Kevin De Bruyne called his team during the 2022 World Cup "too old" to be able to compete in this tournament.
In fact, if the age is the benchmark, it is Iran who deserves to be called chairman because many aging players are strengthened.
The most problematic in the Belgium squad is not the age of the players, but the series of injuries suffered by its core players, including the prolific striker, Romelu Lukaku.
The injury has also left Eden Hazard less playing during Real Madrid this season and has affected his performances at the Qatari World Cup so far.
Martinez himself pointed to the psychological aspect rather than the physical aspect. "We have to stay together and be stronger. We are ready to fight Croatia," Martinez said as quoted by Reuters.
Croatia itself did not perform well against Morocco, although a goalless draw gave a good platform against Canada which they then beat 4-1.
But the question arises whether Croatia can be as productive as against Canada or even blunt against Morocco. Andrej Kramaric has made the question irrelevant again because Croatian attack lines still have an advantage.
The draw was actually enough for Croatia, but coach Zlatko Dalic was not interested in such a scenario.
"We must not accept the option of only getting one point to end the match against Belgium," said Dalic. "Belgium needs a win but we are also eyeing a win."
Predictions of the first eleven players
Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa; Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic; Andrej Kramaric, Marko Livaja, Ivan Perisic
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen; Tomas Meunier, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Yannick Carrasco; Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard; Michy Batshuayi
Important statistics of both teams
The two teams have met eight times since 2000 where both teams recorded three wins. Their last meeting in June last year was won by Belgium 1-0.
But this is their first meeting in a World Cup finals game.
Croatia only needed a draw to qualify for the round of 16, while a draw for Belgium also led them to the knockout round but on condition that Canada beat Morocco. If they win, Belgium will top Group F.
So far, only Michy Batshuayi has become the only Belgian player to hit the 2022 World Cup.
Poland's 4-1 win over Canada was the second time to score four goals in a World Cup game after slaughtering Cameroon 4-0 at the 2014 World Cup.
Croatia reached the semifinals in their debut World Cup finals in 1998. They appeared in the 2018 edition final but attacked 2-4 on France
When they reached the 2018 final, Croatia became the first team in the World Cup to win after conceding first in all of the three group stage matches.