World Cup: Belgium knocked out as Croatia progress

1. Use play icon at top of the page to watch live coverage from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
2. RESULT: Croatia 0-0 Belgium - goalless draw eliminates Belgium while Croatia progress to the last 16
3. RESULT: Canada 1-2 Morocco - Morocco top group and qualify for last 16
4. Croatia will progress if they avoid defeat
5. A win would guarantee Belgium's spot in the last 16
6. Morocco will progress if they avoid defeat against Canada, who are already eliminated
7. Costa Rica v Germany, Japan v Spain (19:00 GMT)
8. Get Involved: #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate), or text your comments via WhatsApp on 03301231826

There's a great noise around the stadium, the fans are up for this and it looks like Morocco are too.

It's been a bright start, with Alistair Johnston producing a fine header to clear a cross to safety in the early stages.

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Simo: Belgium aren't very good but don't write them off.

Ian: Can we have goals galore in this Belgium vs Croatia game?

Emma Sanders

BBC Sport at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Talk about an impact! Some people hadn't even taken their seats when that shot from Ivan Perisic went wide.

CLOSE!

What a start!

Croatia go close inside the opening 10 seconds as Ivan Perisic goes for goal from distance.

It's just wide.

KICK-OFF

Strap yourselves in! This could be a very exciting and tense couple of hours. We're getting under way in both games.

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Jed: Canada are the team that have over performed this summer yet they could still go out without a point! Harsh harsh game.

Smiles and a firm handshake between Luka Modric and Kevin de Bruyne before battle commences.

A record four African teams could reach the round of 16 in Qatar.

Morocco have the chance to join Senegal, already through to face England, in the knockout stages before Cameroon and Ghana attempt to progress from groups G and H respectively tomorrow.

Following a dazzling light show the players have emerged onto the field and it sounds like a great atmosphere at the Al Thumama Stadium. After the Canadian national anthem is played for the final time, the Moroccan national anthem is absolutely belted out by their strong following. That should get their side fired right up for this!

'Morocco and Croatia favourites'

Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Nielsen's Gracenote:

"After two matches Morocco and Croatia are the favourites to go through to the knockout phase with Gracenote estimating 90% and 72% chance respectively for the pair.

"Belgium have 38% chance of progress. All three are now ranked in the top-15 of the Gracenote world ranking.

"The group winner goes into England's half of the draw. Croatia have 49% chance of finishing first, Morocco have 29% chance and Belgium are given 22% chance by Gracenote's forecasts of topping the group."

A reminder, as if you needed it after yesterday's dramatic Group C conclusion, of how things will be settled should teams end level on points:

1. Points accrued
2. Goal difference
3. Goals scored
4. Head-to-head results
5. Fair play (fewest yellow cards)
6. Lots drawn

'Ziyech is a star for Morocco'

Ashley Williams

Former Wales captain on BBC Two

Getty Images

Hakim Ziyech is a superstar for Morocco. He's great to watch. He plays with such freedom. He's got fantastic technique, very clever, very intelligent. He just seems to roam.

Sometimes he can just carry his team forward which is great as a centre half, it just gives you a breather. He's a star for them, they need him on top form. They obviously want to go and win it.

'Where is the leadership?'

Alan Shearer

Former England striker on BBC One

Belgium have had no energy, no legs in midfield, no pressing. Giving teams too much time on the ball, Canada and Morocco.

I think he's brought in Leandro Trossard to try and give them legs in forward positions but it's defensively where they've looked out of sorts as well. There's no desire to stay with the runner and do what you're supposed to do in your job. Defensively they've been really poor, where's the leadership? Organisation? That is a huge problem from Belgium and unless they sort that tonight they're going home.

'Such big things for Croatian football'

Ižak Ante Sučić

Croatian football journalist

The achievements, they speak for themselves. Ivan already did such big things for Croatian football, it's not really important if he scores or not. As you saw against Canada he made a great assist for Kramaric's first goal and it was all because of him.

Spurs winger Ivan Perisic could become the first Croatian to score in three World Cups if he can convert against Belgium.

Gett

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Al Thumama Stadium

BBC Sport

It's all Morocco in that stand, making a heck of a racket.

They had their phone flashlights on before kick-off and it was quite a spectacular scene, singing, dancing and waving them up and down.

They are well up for this.

Morocco's bid for piece of history

BBC

With two clean sheets behind them, Morocco will be feeling confident of securing the point they need.

They can make history as the first African team to record three straight clean sheets at the tournament.

'Canada to be overpowered'

Chris Sutton

Former England striker

BBC

Morocco have really impressed me at this tournament, especially with their fitness in their win against Belgium, and they have now gone six games without conceding a goal.

Canada got off to a good start against Croatia, but just fell to pieces and are out.

They are not going to change the way they play and I just think Morocco will overpower them - maybe in a similar way to how they beat Belgium, with a couple of late goals.

Prediction: 1-2

Belgium on the brink

Belgium

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Roberto Martinez has been in charge of Belgium since 2016.

The former Swansea, Wigan and Everton boss led the Red Devils to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018, where they lost to France before defeating England in the third place play-off.

Failure to reach the knockout stage this would be deemed a failure for the team ranked number two in the world.

'I'm going to write Belgium off'

Chris Sutton

Former England striker

BBC

Kevin de Bruyne says Belgium are too old to win this World Cup, and he has got a point.

They are an aging team and it is sad to see the decline of Eden Hazard, who has had so many injuries since leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2019. He used to be so dynamic and could go past people but now he looks about two stone overweight.

Belgium have left themselves a tough task against a wily Croatia side who are dangerous going forward.

De Bruyne could still change things by playing a pass that no-one else can see, so I probably shouldn't write Belgium off - but I am going to. It's the end of an era for them, and they probably haven't achieved what they should have done with the players they have.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

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Reuters

Superstar: If anyone was still in doubt that there are no more big teams & small teams in global football; if anyone was still in doubt that celebrities are overrated & over hyped in global football; if anyone was still in doubt that regions of the world like Africa & Asia that are under represented at the World Cup should get more places & better representation, Morocco's victory over Belgium is your answer.

More shots than anyone else

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Despite sitting bottom of the group with no points, Canada have attempted 30 shots across their two matches.

That's 11 more than any other side in Group F.

But only five of those shots have been on target - the fewest among the four sides.