Croatia are on the verge of a Round of 16 berth with a draw versus Belgium on Thursday. However, with Spain on track to top their group, it’s in Zlatko Dalić’s best interest to do the same, beat Belgium, and pray Morocco doesn’t blow out Canada to make up goal differential. There are too many scenarios to go through with the Morocco vs. Canada match in play, but the Vatreni need to play for a win by gutting Belgium’s golden generation.
Am I getting ahead of myself? No.
You play to win the whole damn thing. And if Croatia can’t beat what seems like a Belgium side that is moments away from a public implosion, well, they will have missed a huge opportunity. If Croatia can top Group F, they would likely play Germany or Japan in the Round of 16 and Portugal in the quarterfinals. That would be their path. If they draw Belgium and let Morocco leap frog them, Croatia would have to meet Spain in the Round of 16 and Brazil in the quarters. Much tougher.
However, is Belgium about to lay down and die or are they playing possum?
The #2 ranked team in the world could be in serious trouble. After a slim 1-0 win over Canada to open their World Cup account, the Red Devils were shocked by a 2-0 loss to Morocco. Now reports out of Qatar are saying that the locker room has imploded with Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, Man City’s Kevin de Bruyne, and former Tottenham Spur Jan Vertonghen in the middle of it. It seems the Belgian locker room could be unravelling to their last thread as the group finale approaches.
If you’re Croatia, do you read into this at all? Absolutely not. You play your game and let the opponent beat themselves up. It’s simply something to keep an eye on this week. Win and you’re in! Simple as that.
(Madrid Xtra is a credible source with over 500,000 followers on Twitter. The account follows Real Madrid players daily)
Let’s not get so ahead of ourselves. Yes, Belgium looks like a shadow of its former self and is a gong show at the moment, but they have enough individual quality to still get a win. All it takes is one KDB set piece, which he is more than capable of doing. I really don’t think that Belgium is at the stage where France was in 2010.
Also, once you get to the knockout stages every team is tough. Down the line we either play Brazil (which is tough obviously) or Portugal (who we have literally NEVER beaten).
It’s simple. Play to win, build that team spirit, and let the rest take care of itself.
IDK But Dalic’s shuffling resulted in points from all chess pieces that he moved across the board.
Multiple players in on goals & Kovacic’s ascension with Kramaric. Feels like a perfect youth pivot forward.
The cut Krama & Kovo crowd are feeling bad but are forgiven. LFG
Like I daid before the start of the World Cup,
TEAM SPIRIT IS KEY TO VICTORY
I have a feeling that Germany will be heading home early and if we come first in our group? we will be playing against Spain in the round of 16. I think that Spain will try to avoid playing Brazil in the Quarterfinals at all cost and will lose to Japan.
Spain will play Japan after our match v Belgium is finished and will know what is required to avoid potentially playing Brazil in the QF. I think they will take it easy
while keeping an eye on the score between Germany and Costa Rica.
The only way that this can be avoided is if Germany can thump Costa Rica by 6 or 7 goals, unlikely? but possible if they can get a few early goals.
I’ll take Spain anyday. Let’s do it
Wouldn’t it be something else to beat a strong Brazil in the knockout stages
Man, just thinking of it gives me goosebumps
Either path would be good.
I believe we would play France in the quarters otherwise, which would be a big game that would get hyped up and watched closely by all the non-Croats and non-French as well.
We stand a better chance against the French than Brazil, and it would be a great revenge match.
I usually don’t put a lot of stock into what coaches/players say before and after matches. I want to say locker room discord can hurt their chemistry, but who knows, like someone said maybe they worked it out now and will come out galvanized.
I’m more interested in how we show up to play style-wise. I’m thinking we sit back and try to bait them into committing guys forward and hit them on the counter. Though the times I’ve seen us do that, we usually don’t fair well when we play conservative or for a draw.
I’m also interested in peoples thoughts on Lukaku starting instead of Batshuayi.
Good question, Lukaku has been injured and is not fit. Logic is that he comes off the bench for the last 30 minutes or so. However, I have a feeling that he might start the match.
Belgium have a lot more issues than the beef in the locker room. Watch the Moroccans riot after the victory against Belgium in Brussels. This is why Europe stays European. Going back to Belgium’s team. They had issues going into this tournament. From what I read, Lukaku had to intervene between Vertonghen and Hazard. They are still a threat despite injuries, mishaps and everything else. KDB is one of the best in the world at his job. Courtois is arguably the best goalkeeper. We can expose the Belgian defence like we did with the Canadians. This is just a theory. I have a feeling De Bruyne doesn’t have faith in the team or a willingness to win. He knows Belgium’s generation ended after that semi final defeat to France. My money is on KDB and Hazard retiring. Same lineup as last time. Belgium know a draw would end them. So far, we are the last semi finalists that can still get out of the group. Go all out for the dub because they are too. A draw for us would end them but give Morocco a chance to finish first. I can almost guarantee that Canada aren’t going to lose on purpose. A Canada draw or win helps is a good outcome.
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2022/11/30/23483964/world-cup-fight-club-belgium-national-team-shambles-de-bruyne-hazard-courtois-lukaku-vertonghen
Croatia have a great opportunity in there hands. They will play with their ❤️🔥💪⚽️ 3 pts 🥇🍻🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷 Can’t wait 😜
It will be a clash of Titans
An early knockout match
Perhaps the biggest match of all the World Cup so far as far as implications and quality of teams involved
With that being said
It’s time to start talking about lineups/formations
Can we control the midfield play in this one? Belgium will want an early goal, maybe slow it down let us keep control and try to hit on the counter for a second? One thing is for sure we have to not have that mental lapse so early like last match.
We just can’t go for the draw like it’s certainly nice to have that bit of comfort but for all the reasons we know not finishing second is huge but I feel playing for a draw is not us
Like Belgium have to really turn form around in one match
Of course they can. Maybe they are galvanized but so are we…
Courtouis for me is scary the rest has some danger but the champions league final is clearly in my mind
Belgium can’t out possess us.
Only a couple of teams in this World Cup can.
They can press us hard and try to force us to make mistakes, or hit us on the counter.
Not sure how Dalić is gonna want to play this, since all we need is a draw.
We’ll probably play deep and try to hit them on the counter. Not sure.
He’ll probably keep the lineup identical to what we saw against Canada. Maybe he swaps out Juranović for Stanišić at RB for added defense.
The only changes I can imagine are Stanisić at RB and Budimir as the CF. Stanisić is obviously the best defender we have at RB, and Dalić has said that Budimir is his defensive option at striker. Also, if we end up using a lot of crosses from the sides, Budimir is a target. However, it’s more likely that Livaja starts again because he played so well. It will be interesting to face a 3-man defense
I’m just glad that the whole Pasalic on the wing experiment is finally done.
Last game it was Vlasic and Orsic who came off the bench for the wingers. Pasalic came on for Modric in central midfield.
This is how it should be moving forward.
Hayes, Noodles, and O- Dog of “Overdrive” on TSN were saying how Croatia dominated the game agsinst Canada as well as you could; furthermore, Croatia was labelled by them as a borderline superpower in Soccer.
At least someone in Canada respects Croatia!
We now need to bring our best against Belgium to get the win. I wouldn’t be surprised if Belgium plays their best game of the tournament so far against us.
The Belgium locker room fighting was just a strong discussion and actually galvanized the team according to some of their players.
Wait till they see the real Marko Livaja. Hoo boy!
Interesting
https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/sp2022/nedostaje-nam-samo-ta-mala-pobjeda-nad-hrvatskom-manji-su-od-nas-losije-plasirani-kod-fife-15281176?fbclid=IwAR3wGuMf4AFf-JL9XZzulqY4vb4hFL4H1tTH2zEhL5lguWCXdLVfUbUMZN8
Match Referee is Anthony Taylor from England and that is a bad omen. Historically by large, whenever we have had English refs things did not end well.
English ref??? Oh geez here we go yet again
https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/sp2022/sudac-koji-bi-iz-puno-razloga-trebao-odgovarati-hrvatskoj-evo-zasto-je-taylor-dobar-izbor-za-vatrene-15281169
Yes, I have read the article. I’m just telling you that English and Spanish referees for us historically mean bad news.
Dalic just went on camera and said that we are going to Eff Belgium!
Lol
LOL that is a beauty -OMG , I spilt my wine on that one- Beauty Maminjo-
Poo leh sick with a big goal
He’s shown well but I still don’t know if he is a guaranteed starter for cro???
Pulisic would never start for Hrv. He’s garbage and an asshole. I’ve expressed my thoughts on him a few times.
In other sport news I don’t think it was mentioned ante Delija won that fighting league and one million bucks
What a great pay day for not a top top fighter
Will he go to UFC? I don’t think he has ever fought there has he?
Is it true croatia got fined or something because of the banners the fans held up?
Canada Soccer Association put a formal complaint into FIFA about the verbal abuse and taunting by the Croatian fans to Serb-Canadian goalie Milan Borjan and because of the John Deere banners among others behind the goal. FIFA are now investigating the charge on the grounds of discrimination and security at games. There could be a big fine for the Croatian Football Federation as the German federation was fined today for a much smaller thing.
Canada soccer association should be focusing on their foul mouthed coach, and the Serb /Chetnik that started the shit once again.
always so delightful to watch the us game and to hear the name Christian Poo-Liss-Sick
How is his name pronounced on your Commodore 64?
Yeah it certainly seems that Belgija is in disarray. But that being said, they are still a strong side. We must play our best.
@Mr. Black got any inside scoops?
I wouldn’t care if the Belgium guys are spanking each other with a kais – now, that would be good instagram video-LOL- I just wish they would trash talks just a little- maybe they put Borgan in their practice -anything. It’s nice to see our guys revved up regardless how- I do have to admit Canada game had us seeing “red” stars -heehaw!!!
Who gives a flying fuck what the Canadian media say. It’s a country filled with lgbtq infested termites, china loving and pro communist degenerates. Chetnik made a claim and got spanked. Leave it alone. Canadian journalism is reliable as a yugo. On to Belgium, they are mentally collapsing. The players are turning against each other and know the pressure is on. We are in the drivers seat. Belgium has had issues with the manager, players and injuries for a bit. We will prevail my brothers. Entrust Dalic to lead us. Za Dom Spremni
Shocking as it may be, Trudeau isn’t going to throw everyone here in the gulag like Twitter might tell you. A couple people decided to be shitheads in the stands, big deal, we move on.
Agree on Belgium. I would be shocked if they pulled off even a draw, I’m giving 3-1 from Livaja and Luka,
https://www.cp24.com/mobile/sports/croatia-charged-for-world-cup-fans-taunts-of-canada-goalie-1.6172710
Sadly, it was just a matter of time….
Our chances against Belgium are 50/50. It is going to be hard and this infighting in their team I think is a negative for us. They will come out pumped up and ready to show the world that they still have it.
Some stats for those interested:
We have never won our third group match at the WC when the third match was in play and deciding if we progress to round of 16. Hopefully this time it will be different?
WC 1998 – lost 1 – 0 to Argentina (already qualified for Round of 16)
WC 2002 – lost 1 – 0 to Ecuador and sending Italy to round of 16.
WC 2006 – Drew 2 – 2 with Australia and not making it out of the group.
WC 2014 – lost 3 – 1 to Mexico and did not make it out of the group.
WC 2018 – Won 2 – 1 against Iceland (already qualified for Round of 16).
Record and Previous matches against Belgium:
Played 8 times for 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 loses.
Goal difference 9 – 6.
2.09.2000. WC Qualifier Belgium – Croatia 0:0
6.10. 2001. WC Qualifier Croatia – Belgium 1:0
29.03.2003. EURO Qualifier Croatia – Belgium 4:0
10.09. 2003, EURO Qualifier Belgium -Croatia 2:1
03.03. 2010. Friendly Belgium – Croatia 0:1
11.09.2012. WC Qualifier Belgium – Croatia 1:1
11.10.2013. WC Qualifier Croatia – Belgium 1:2
06.06.2021. Friendly Belgium – Croatia 1:0
None of that matters anyway.
We also never tied our first game in a World Cup…so now that we have done so, I guess this creates a new path for us in the Multiverse.
We’ve never gone into the third game of any tournament only needing a draw. Those previous times against Australia, Mexico and Ecuador we needed a win.
We have a more than 50% chance of getting a win or draw against Belgium, so we have the advantage…but yea, I would really want us to go for the win, take first place, and avoid Spain and Brazil.
Exactly this is new team new game
For sure it’s nice when the past favours us and in fact it does with being third and 2nd
The boys know every team is for sure beatable.
Belgium has had the upper hand the past couple years we know
They were good. They have an excellent keeper who can steal a game. But Luka will know any weaknesses that others possibly don’t
The infighting may make them Stronger. But also if we bang something early they may implode, Argentinaesque in 2018
We play our game
We have confidence. We always said krama would need a helper out there with budimir before but Livaja I think is in his peak form and I think he has his fuck you attitude nicely channeled now
Think about if rebic humbled himself kind of thing. At least it’s what I can see Livaja travelled did his thing was an idiot, found himself at home, father dies. You can see he is of course bothered but it fuels him. This make a man dangerous
Play our game. We never had a gvardiol who could shut lukaku down
I think if Kova can make a couple runs like he did. Man does that just open the game right up and make options.
Luka gonna play his best match of the tourney
So is perisic,
Sosa also warming up on the left side
And with krama. We all know he can get hot for a month and if he indeed does it. Then we will be more then OK
Let’s hope the boys keep rolling
Beat Belgium out right is a bit of a monkey off the back and will give all sorts of confidence
We can’t play for a tie. Even tho this team I feel this Croatia side could do it, it’s not really the Croatian way over the years
Thanks for bringing back some pretty bad WC memories MART. That 2-2 draw with aus still hurts.
I reckon had we had VAR in those days that Harry Kewell’s goal for
2 – 2 was offside.
It’s all a smokescreen
Belgium will come out and fighting in an attempt to ambush us
We better be fully prepared and gird our loins
True, the team has to be ready and focused.
We need to win this group. Finishing second in this group will set up a R16 clash with Spain and if we manage to win that Brazil in the Quarters. Prefer Japan and Portugal on the other side of the draw.
Japan ain’t making it, they had their chance. All they had to do was beat pathetic Costa Rica. Spain will beat them and Germany will spank Costa Rica. Even if Japan somehow tie Spain, Germany will probably get second on goal difference.
For sure.
But I’d easily take Germany/Portugal over Spain/Brazil.
Both are tough paths, but Germany/Portugal would struggle more against us.
The good thing is we only need a draw to stay in the tournament. That should decrease the pressure heading into the game — unlike in 2014 where we had to beat the Mexicans in the last group game.
Don’t believe everything you read. Croatia should just concentrate on their own game. This will be a tough match.