Croatia vs Belgium LIVE: World Cup 2022 updates

Kick off: Roberto Martinez makes a change at half-time with Romelu Lukaku coming on to replace Dries Mertens. Can Belgium’s record goalscorer send them through to the knockout rounds?

Belgium kick off the second half desperately needing a goal.

The other Group F match of the day currently has Morocco leading 2-1 at half-time. As it stands Morocco are winning the group with Croatia edging through at the expense of Belgium.

The Red Devils need a goal.

45+4 mins: Goalless at the break. A dull affair comes to a close with both needs desperately needing to inject some momentum into proceedings.

45 mins: Four minutes of added time to play before the end of the half.

44 mins: The debate will be whether Belgium are purposefully being cautious to avoid a Croatia goal or whether they just aren’t creative enough to compete at this World Cup.

Roberto Martinez’s men have only scored once in their two and a half games so far and are seemingly bereft of ideas without Romelu Lukaku up top.

41 mins: Nearly! Thomas Meunier brings the ball down the right and slides in Leander Dendoncker on the overlap. He carries the ball into the box and pulls it back but a deflection from Josko Gvardiol sends it through the six-yard area to safety.

Encouraging signs from Belgium though.

38 mins: Morocco have added to their lead against Canada so the Canadians are unlikely to do Belgium any favours. The Red Devils need to get themselves out of the mess they’ve created.

At the minute though that looks unlikely.

35 mins: A misplaced pass into Luka Modric gets intercepted by Leandro Trossard who carries it up towards goal.

He holds onto the ball too long though which allows Ivan Perisic to get back and clear the danger just as Trossard tries to find Kevin De Bruyne on the right side of the penalty area.

32 mins: Close! Croatia get forward down the left wing and feed Borna Sosa into the byline. He swings a good cross into the box and finds Marko Livaja who rises above two defenders before nodding an effort wide of the left-hand post!