Croatia seeks the eighth between the doubts of the Belgian schism

Croatia seeks the eighth between the doubts of the Belgian schism

The Croatians are worth the tie to be in the first crossing, while the 'Red Devils' live a 'final' in the midst of a convulsive crisis

   MADRID, 30 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Croatia and Belgium face each other this Thursday (4:00 p.m.) in the third and final day of Group F of the World Cup in Qatar, with some Croatians who enjoy better options to advance to the crosses in a tournament in which they seem to be going from less to more , while the Belgians will have to forget their doubts and settle the internal schism that shakes the 'Red Devils' so as not to leave at the first exchange.

Commanded by a Luka Modric who acts as the absolute leader of the group, as the player with the most caps (157) in the history of his team, Croatia arrives reinforced for the key group match. After a somewhat hesitant start in Qatar, in a debut in which they could not go from 0-0 against Morocco, the Balkans knew how to recover in time to thrash forcefully (4-1) and eliminate Canada.

The team coached by Zlatko Dalic shed the complexes and nervousness typical of this type of tournament with a very competitive second match that allowed them to continue with their dynamics in big championships. And it is that the ceiling of Croatia in the World Cup is very high, after reaching the final, and losing it, in Russia 2018, a very complicated company for Qatar, although not unreasonable. Surely, it will be the last opportunity in a World Cup for this generation, very competitive and with a very good treatment of the ball.

This becomes more than enough incentive not to abandon Qatar in the first phase and continue dreaming of what is their sixth participation in a World Cup. For this, Croatia, leader with four points, depends on itself. Obviously, the victory over Belgium is useful, but also the draw. If they lose to the Belgians, they will have to expect Canada to beat Morocco and have a better goal difference compared to the Africans.

Dalic will have to decide whether to continue an almost insurmountable defensive block so far -only one goal against-, thanks to the strength of his central defenders Josko Gvardiol and Dejan Lovren, alert, with the perfect mix between youth and experience. He could also miss the next round if he sees a Modric card, though his weight in the system grants him untouchable status for the coach. A plugged-in Andrej Kramaric with a double against Canada would accompany Ivan Perisic and Marko Livaja in attack.

Belgium lives in a very different situation, which seems not to be making the most of the last opportunity of its 'golden' generation in Qatar, the protagonist due to an internal crisis in the dressing room. Everyone, even the coach, Roberto Martínez, have recognized discrepancies and disagreements between the members of the squad, just at the worst moment.

And that noise has greatly affected the performance of some 'Red Devils' who have shown a level well below expectations, without the electricity and verticality that have characterized them in recent years. The lack of rhythm of Eden Hazard, a Romelu Lukaku far from his one hundred percent and the downward versions of Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco confirm that the Belgian team is far from its best moment and against the ropes, being able to fall in the phase of groups for the first time since 1998.

However, against Croatia they have their last chance to put aside the possible differences and focus only on winning their first 'final' to stay alive in the World Cup. "We had a good talk and many things were said, good and bad," Hazard confessed about the "complicated situation", while Courtois pointed out that this will unite them. "It brings us closer, things have been written that are false," added the goalkeeper.

The record for Belgium, which is third with three points, is a close victory (1-0) in the opening game against Canada, and a painful and unexpected defeat (0-2) against Morocco that complicates life in Qatar . Still, they will stay in the tournament if they beat Croatia and even if they draw, although they will need a lopsided win for Canada over Morocco. A defeat would condemn the 'Red Devils', with possible changes in the 'eleven', pending the situation of Lukaku and perhaps with the prominence of youngsters like Ketelaere or Trossard.

   CROACIA: Ivakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Livaja, Kramaric y Perisic.

BELGIUM: Courtois; Meneur, Alderweider, Vertonghen, Castagne; De Bruyne, Witsel, Tielemans, Thorgan Hazard; Eden Hazard and Lukaku.

--REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (ING).

--ESTADIO: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

--TIME: 4:00 p.m./La1, World Goal and Movistar.