Croatia vs Belgium LIVE: Group F’s frantic finale… Roberto Martinez’s disjointed side need to win to make absolutely sure of a World Cup last-16 spot while a draw is good enough for their opponents
Follow Sportsmail’s live blog for the World Cup Group F clash between Croatia and Belgium.
Host commentator
Ok, pay attention… Here’s what each team needs in our featured group to make it through to the last-16.
Canada exited the tournament after their 4-1 loss to Croatia and so cannot qualify for the knockout stages now as they play for just pride against Morocco today.
Croatia come into their game with Belgium sitting top with four points and a healthy +3 goal difference. So they will make it through with a win or draw against Belgium.
Morocco also have four points and sit second. A win or draw against Canada will take them through.
Belgium need to beat Croatia to make absolutely sure of their progress. A draw will only be enough if Morocco lose to Canada but it’ll have be a hefty loss to swing the three goal difference… difference.
Don’t worry though, I will keep you bang up to date as the action is unfolding.
We’re very much at the business end of the group stages now and another two of them will be wrapped up today and another four nations through to the last-16.
We already know four of the last-16 ties: Netherlands vs United States, Argentina vs Australia, France vs Poland and England vs Senegal.
By this evening, we’ll know too more as Groups E and F reach their conclusion.
F goes first, with Croatia vs Belgium and Canada vs Morocco happening simultaneously in the early slot.
After that, it’s the climax of Group E, where all four of the teams can still progress. Germany play Costa Rica while Spain take on Japan in what promises to be a bonkers finish.
So plenty to look forward to!
What drama we witnessed yesterday with last-minute twists highlighting those fine margins in football – with one team marching on and another heading home.
And who knows… we could have more of the same today as Group F reaches its conclusion.
The only thing we really know in advance is that Canada are already out – everything else is in play.
Belgium and Croatia meet in our featured game here – Belgium will qualify with a victory but they’ve looked far from convincing and goodness knows what’s going on behind the scenes in the camp.
Croatia will be through if they avoid defeat against Belgium.
That all sounds very simple but no doubt we will see all manner of drama.
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