Favorites in Group F, Croatia and Belgium have a simpler calculation to know who advances to the round of 16. The teams face each other this Thursday at 12h (Brasília time), at the Ahmed bin Ali stadium, in the city of Al Rayyan, this is it: whoever wins, qualifies for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar. The confrontation between the current world runner-up and the third place in the last World Cup is valid for the third and final round of Group F of the first phase. Croatia is also playing for a draw to move forward without relying on other accounts.
There is only one possible combination for Croatia and Belgium to advance together to the round of 16. Belgium would have to beat the Croatians, and Morocco would have to be defeated by Canada in the other Group F game at the same time. Furthermore, the Belgian victory could not compromise Croatia’s goal difference (currently +3) so much, which needs to be higher than Morocco’s; if defeated by Canada, the Moroccans would lower the balance, which is +2 goals at the moment. In case of a tie in the balance, the next criterion is the pro goals.
Coach Zlatko Dalic should take to the field the same team that thrashed Canada in the last round. Despite having a concern with the average age of the team, with many players over 30 years old – like Lukas Modric, at 37 years old -, as Croatia depends on the result to qualify, the team considered ideal in the time. Striker Livaja, who in the last game won Vlasic’s spot, scored against Canada and should be retained.
On the Belgian side, coach Roberto Martinez will be forced to make a change: midfielder Amadou Onana has received a second yellow card and is suspended. Youri Tielemans, who played in his debut as a starter, should replace him and play alongside Axel Witsel. In the attack, Romelu Lukaku, who has been suffering from injuries to the tendon and thigh, even entered the last game, but still should not be able to start a match. Batshuayi must be maintained.
Croatia Analysis
After a victory and a draw, the team arrives in this 3rd round in 3rd place in Group F, with one point conquered. In the previous round, they won against Canada by (4‑1), after in the first match in this group stage they tied by (0‑0) against Morocco. In the last 10 games Croatia has seven wins, two draws and one defeat. His attack has scored regularly, as he managed to achieve in eight of the last 10 games. In their matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 11 of their last 27 matches ended with less than 1.5 goals. In 15 games, they conceded the first goal five times, but managed to turn the score around in two. In the last 20 games for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they scored 14 of their 39 goals between minutes (76’‑90′).
Croatia comes motivated for this match after a great victory, by 4-1, in the confrontation against Canada, adding in this way the first triumph in this 2022 World Cup: the team’s goals were signed by Lovro Majer, Andrej Kramaric (2) and Marko Livaja. The Croatian team usually plays in a 4-3-3 tactical system, so in this formation, the most advanced players are Ivan Perisic, Marko Livaja and Andrej Kramaric. In any case, when he chooses to attack through the side aisles, it is likely that he will do so through the left line, taking advantage of the depth offered by full-back Borna Sosa. All players are available for this game.
Belgium analysis
The team arrives in this 3rd round of Group F in 2nd place, with 3 points conquered, after a victory and a defeat. In his debut he won against Canada by (1-0). In the 2nd round, lost to Morocco by (0-2). In the last 10 games Belgium won five, drew one and lost four. Defensive solidity has not been their strong point, having conceded goals in seven of the last 10 games, but their attack has scored regularly, having scored goals in 8 of the last 10 games. In 15 games, he conceded the first goal six times and only turned the score around once.
Belgium enters this challenge after a defeat, by 0-2, against Morocco, adding in this way the first defeat in this 2022 World Cup. channeling his game preferably through the wings. In this system, the three players who assume a more advanced position on the pitch will be Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, with the first player mentioned being the top scorer with a goal scored. Out of this game is Amadou Onana due to suspension.
