Croatia falls 2-0 to Belgium in World Cup warm-up match

Croatia lost 2-0 to Belgium on Tuesday evening in Rijeka in the first of two warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup.

Belgium scored once in each half to secure victory at Rujevica. Youri Tielemans opened the scoring in the 38th minute, while Romelu Lukaku sealed the win deep into stoppage time, finding the net in the 96th minute.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić included three key national team players in the starting lineup — Luka Modrić, Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić — as they continue to recover from injuries and regain full fitness.

Dalić opted to leave Andrej Kramarić on the bench, with Petar Musa leading the attack.

The match began cautiously, with Croatia creating the first notable chance in the 11th minute. Modrić launched a counterattack with a pass into Belgium’s half before finding Musa, whose diagonal effort sailed over the bar.

Belgium controlled possession in the opening stages, dictating the tempo and pressing around Croatia’s penalty area. However, Croatia’s compact defensive shape limited clear opportunities.

Croatia produced another promising move in the 19th minute, as Martin Baturina initiated a quick passing sequence involving Kovačić and Petar Sučić, though Josip Stanišić’s final delivery failed to trouble the Belgian defense.

Belgium’s first serious attempt came in the 31st minute, when Maxim De Cuyper fired a free kick from 17 meters over the goal.

The visitors broke the deadlock seven minutes later. Jérémy Doku surged down the left flank and sent the ball into Croatia’s penalty area, where it fell to Tielemans, who finished from close range to make it 1-0.

Croatia nearly responded before halftime when Modrić tested Thibaut Courtois with a difficult effort, but the Belgian goalkeeper made the save to preserve his side’s lead.

The momentum shifted after the break, with Croatia enjoying more possession. However, just as Belgium struggled to break through Croatia’s defense in the first half, the hosts found it difficult to create clear chances.

Shortly before the hour mark, Dalić made six substitutions, and the changes nearly paid off immediately. In the 61st minute, Luka Sučić delivered a cross for Ante Budimir, whose header struck the crossbar from close range.

Belgium came close to doubling their lead in similar fashion in the 74th minute, when Hans Vanaken’s header also rattled the crossbar.

Dalić introduced another wave of substitutions in the 71st minute, after which Croatia’s intensity dropped and Belgium created several dangerous attacks.

Croatia came close to an equalizer in the 88th minute when Marco Pašalić unleashed a powerful effort from 18 meters, but the shot narrowly missed the target.

Belgium added a second goal in the dying moments of the match, with Lukaku scoring in the 96th minute to secure a 2-0 victory.

Croatia will play its final warm-up match before the World Cup on Sunday against Slovenia in Varaždin.

At the World Cup, Croatia will compete in Group L alongside England on June 17, Panama on June 24 and Ghana on June 27.