Player ratings as goalless draw sends Red Devils out

Belgium have been eliminated from the 2022 World Cup as they failed to beat Croatia in a goalless draw at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Thibaut Courtois was required to make a handful of saves before substitute Romelu Lukaku hit the post as Roberto Martinez’s side chased a winner. Lukaku squandered a handful of late chances as the Red Devils spluttered up front, bringing their tournament to a premature end.

2018 runners-up Croatia held firm in defence to qualify from Group F in second place, with Morocco’s victory over Canada taking them through as group winners.

A first-minute blitz from Croatia nearly saw Ivan Perisic open his scoring, but his half-volley from Luka Modric’s lofted pass fizzed past the far post.

Morocco took the lead early on in their clash with Canada – that game went into half time at 2-1 – leaving Croatia in second alongside Morocco who would go through as group winners.

Dries Mertens produced a finish which lacked any calm or poise to balloon a nice opening clear of the bar, while he couldn’t get enough on Leander Dendoncker’s pass late in the first half from close range.

Croatia struggled to create any chances of real quality, with Marko Livaja heading comfortably over from Borna Sosa’s cross.

One hapless moment of drama came courtesy of some joke officiating and use of VAR. Anthony Taylor originally gave a penalty for Yannick Carrasco’s loose challenge on Andrej Kramaric, only for the Premier League referee to be pulled to the touchline to judge a potential offside.

The second half immediately saw the introduction of Lukaku and he got his first shot away quickly, heading straight at Dominik Livakovic. A quick retort from Croatia saw Josko Gvardiol drive forward and pick out Mateo Kovacic, but the Chelsea midfielder’s shot was palmed over by Thibaut Courtois.

The Real Madrid goalie was needed again soon after to keep out another Kovacic drive, while he also repelled club teammate Luka Modric’s strike away from goal.

The second half’s furious pace in comparison to the first continued as Belgium attacked. Kevin De Bruyne played in Carrasco who was quickly blocked by Josip Juranovic before the rebound was clattered against the post by Lukaku.

The on-loan Inter striker’s bad afternoon got worse when he ballooned a header over with Livakovic nowhere, though the ball looked to have gone out of play.

The perfect final touch continued to evade Lukaku as Livakovic saved before Gvardiol denied him with a monstrous challenge, with Croatia holding out for the…