Luka Modric (R) of Croatia vies with Axel Witsel of Belgium during the Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
DOHA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Romelu Lukaku missed several golden scoring opportunities as Belgium drew 0-0 with Croatia to bid farewell to the FIFA World Cup here on Thursday.
The 2018 runners-up, led by former Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric, progressed as the second-placed team in Group F behind African side Morocco, who beat Canada 2-1 on Thursday.
Croatia could secure a round-of-16 berth if they avoid a defeat, while Belgium needed a victory to advance.
After a goalless first half which saw Croatia seemingly more aggressive on the pitch, Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, came off the bench to replace Dries Mertens in the second half.
The 29-year-old striker could have put his team in front in the 60th minute when he got the ball in front of an almost empty net, only to have a shot ring off the inside of the post.
The Inter Milan forward came close again two minutes later, but his header went a little higher over the bar.
In the 87th minute, Thomas Meunier latched onto a loose ball in the Croatia box and steered it towards the goal. It traveled towards Lukaku, who sticked out a boot but sent his effort just past the right post.
The last chance appeared in stoppage time, when Thorgan Hazard clipped a cross into the middle of the box which Dejan Lovren failed to clear. But Lukaku misjudged the flight of the ball as it hit him in the chest and he didn't finish a strike.
The Belgians had 15 attempts at goal, four more than their opponents, but no one produced a goal. ■
Luka Modric of Croatia reacts during the Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Josko Gvardiol (R) of Croatia vies with Leandro Trossard of Belgium during the Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Dejan Lovren (L) of Croatia stops the ball during the Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
Luka Modric (C) of Croatia competes during the Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Dominik Livakovic (1st R), goalkeeper of Croatia, catches the ball during the Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
Thomas Meunier (R) of Belgium vies with Ivan Perisic of Croatia during their Group F match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Luka Modric (front L) of Croatia and Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium in action during their Group F match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Dec. 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
