Next stop: EURO 2020

Lukaku's goal separates Belgium and Croatia

06.06.2021.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the final friendly match before EURO 2020, Croatia visited Belgium in Brussels, where the hosts celebrated a 1:0 victory.

BELGIUM - CROATIA 1:0 (1:0)
International friendly.
King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels.

Referee: D. Aytekin (Germany)

Goals: 1:0 - Lukaku (38')

Cautions: -

Belgium: Courtois, Vertonghen (46' Vermaelen), Denayer, Alderweireld, Chadli (71' T. Hazard), Dendoncker (81' E. Hazard), Tielemans, Castagne, Carrasco (81' Doku), Mertens (68' Vanaken), Lukaku. Head coach: R. Martinez.

Croatia: Livaković, Barišić (46' Gvardiol), Ćaleta-Car, Vida, Vrsaljko, Brozović, Kovačić (61' Vlašić), Modrić (61' Pašalić), Perišić (80' Oršić), Rebić (61' Kramarić), Petković (70' Brekalo). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Zlatko Dalić's men faced the top team of the FIFA Rankings, Belgium - 2018 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists - in the EURO 2020 dress rehearsal.

Croatia stood firm in the opening 15 minutes, controlling the possession, but the hosts later turned the tide, with Lukaku and Carrasco hitting the woodwork in the same move.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Perišić quickly responded, but his effort was blocked, while Belgium managed to take the lead on 38 minutes. Following two crosses into the Croatian box, Lukaku provided the finish for a one-goal advantage at the break.

The second half did not allow many more exciting moments, and the best goalscoring opportunities were saved for the closing minutes. Livaković, however, stopped Lukaku with two brilliant saves, and Courtois palmed away Brekalo's low effort.

Croatia opens its EURO 2020 campaign in one week, on Sunday 13 June, at iconic Wembley Stadium against the host nation England.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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