The Goal That Stopped Time

The atmosphere at Rujevica Stadium was electric, but it was the visitors who struck first. In the 38th minute, Belgium seized control, breaking the deadlock with a goal that showcased their tactical precision. The assist came from Jeremy Doku, who once again terrorized the left flank with his blistering pace. He delivered a low, dangerous cross into the box, causing chaos among the Croatian defenders.

Josip Šutalo attempted to clear the danger, but his header lacked the necessary distance. The ball trickled perfectly to the feet of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans. From just six meters out, Tielemans didn't hesitate, firing a clinical finish into the far corner. It was a moment of pure composure under pressure, giving the Belgians a 1-0 advantage as the first half concluded.

World Cup Countdown Begins

This friendly is more than just a warm-up; it is the final dress rehearsal before the main event. Croatia is in the thick of their preparations for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Every minute on the pitch matters as coach Zlatko Dalić fine-tunes his squad.

Dalić has confirmed his final 26-man roster, signaling that only injury or unforeseen circumstances will alter the lineup. The stakes remain high as Croatia looks to bounce back. They face Slovenia next, with a friendly scheduled for Sunday in Varaždin at 20:45. The question remains: can Croatia answer the challenge posed by Belgium and Slovenia before the World Cup begins?