Key Takeaways:
- Belgium defeated Croatia 2-0 in a friendly fixture as both nations prepared for the upcoming FIFA World Cup
- Romelu Lukaku scored on his first Belgium appearance in a year, strengthening his claim for a World Cup starting berth
- Croatia registered consecutive friendly defeats for the first time in 20 years
Match Summary and Tactical Overview
Belgium registered a convincing 2-0 victory over Croatia on Croatian soil as both teams fine-tuned their squads ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Rudi Garcia’s side extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches, recording eight wins and four draws during this stretch, and showcased the depth and sharpness that could serve them well in the approaching global tournament.
🇧🇪✅ La Belgique s’impose 2-0 face à la Croatie grâce à un but de Youri Tielemans juste avant la pause et Romelu Lukaku en fin de match.
Les Diables débutent donc leur préparation pour la Coupe du Monde 2026 par une victoire 👏
Êtes-vous satisfaits de la prestation de nos… pic.twitter.com/7GcMt7chd2
— Belgium Touch 🇧🇪 (@BelgiumTouch) June 2, 2026
First Half: Belgium Take Control
The opening chance fell to Jeremy Doku, who operated centrally due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding Romelu Lukaku’s match fitness. However, Doku’s effort did little to trouble Croatia’s goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic. Croatia’s best early opportunity came courtesy of Luka Modric, whose precise pass set up Petar Musa on the counter. Musa, currently with FC Dallas, could only clip the side netting as the angle rapidly narrowed.
The Red Devils then threatened again after Doku drew a free-kick, though Maxim De Cuyper’s decision to replace Kevin De Bruyne for set-piece duties did not pay dividends and is unlikely to become a regular feature. The breakthrough soon followed via a quickly-taken De Bruyne free-kick that initiated another Belgian assault. Doku, again a central figure, tormented his marker out wide before delivering a dangerous cross into the box. The ensuing defensive confusion resulted in the ball dropping for Youri Tielemans, who calmly slotted home to give Belgium a deserved lead.
Before the interval, Thibaut Courtois was called into action to deny his former club colleague Luka Modric with an excellent save, preserving the lead heading into half-time.
Second Half: Substitutes Make the Difference
Neither side made changes at the break, yet the tempo slowed as both teams appeared to be biding their time until a raft of substitutions around the hour mark. Croatia introduced five players in one swoop, nearly equalising instantly when Ante Budimir’s header rattled the crossbar. Belgium responded in kind, with Hans Vanaken—fresh from the bench—heading against the woodwork at the other end.
Romelu Lukaku, making his first national team appearance in a year and coming off the bench, made a significant statement for a starting place at the World Cup. The striker finished off a swift counterattack, netting Belgium’s second goal as the match neared its conclusion, underlining his credentials for the forthcoming tournament despite limited club minutes.
Looking Ahead
Croatia, under Zlatko Dalic, have now suffered back-to-back friendly defeats for the first time in two decades, ending a previous nine-match unbeaten streak. Belgium’s preparations continue with an upcoming home friendly against Tunisia before opening their World Cup campaign against Egypt. Meanwhile, Croatia will host Slovenia in their final warm-up before embarking on their tournament journey in the USA, where their first fixture will be a high-profile encounter against England.
