FRIENDLY MATCH

Belgium defeat Croatia 2–0 in Rijeka

03.06.2026.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the first June test for the Vatreni, Belgium recorded a 2–0 victory in Rijeka, with goals from Youri Tielemans in the first half and Romelu Lukaku in the second.

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CROATIA – BELGIUM 0–2 (0–1)
Friendly match
HNK Rijeka Stadium, Rijeka
Referee: R. Obrenovič (Slovenia)

Scorers: 0–1 Tielemans (38’), 0–2 Lukaku (90+6’)

Yellow cards: Baturina (42’), De Ketelaere (49’), Budimir (62’), De Winter (69’)

Croatia: Livaković (Kotarski 59’), Gvardiol (Pongračić 59’), Šutalo (Jakić 71’), Vušković, Perišić (Moro 71’), Modrić (Mario Pašalić 59’), P. Sučić (Kramarić 71’), Stanišić (Marco Pašalić 59’), Kovačić (L. Sučić 59’), Baturina (Vlašić 71’), Musa (Budimir 59’). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Belgium: Courtois, Theate, Onana (Seys 67’), Ngoy (Vanaken 67’), De Cuyper (Mechele 67’), Tielemans, Raskin (Witsel 79’), Saelemaekers (De Winter 67’), Doku (Fernandez-Pardo 73’), De Bruyne (Meunier 67’), De Ketelaere (Lukaku 73’). Head coach: R. Garcia.

As part of their final preparations for the World Cup, the Croatian national team played a friendly match against Belgium in Rijeka, where the visitors ultimately secured the win.

Belgium took the lead in the 38th minute through Tielemans, after which Modrić came close with a dangerous effort, but Courtois made the save. In the second half, Budimir hit the crossbar with a header in Croatia’s best chance for an equaliser. Vanaken also struck the woodwork, while Kotarski produced a solid save in the closing stages and Marco Pašalić narrowly missed the target. Lukaku sealed the 2–0 win with a goal in the final minute of stoppage time.

The Vatreni will play their final friendly ahead of their trip to the United States on Sunday, 7 June, in Varaždin against Slovenia.

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