Belgium win in Rijeka as Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku deliver in a solid 2-0 victory

The visitors defeat Croatia 2-0 in Zagreb, with Youri Tielemans striking in the first half and Romelu Lukaku sealing the result in stoppage time. You lived every moment of this international clash here on Bolavip.

Final whistle! Belgium secure the victory!

¡Goal! The visitors finish it off on the counter. Vanaken launches a long ball for Lukaku, who controls it in the box and slots it across the keeper to put the match to bed.

Belgium maintain steady possession, slowing the pace and managing the clock, while Croatia sit back and wait for a chance to press.

The referee signals six minutes of stoppage time as Croatia push desperately for an equalizer and Belgium look to close it out.

Croatia come very close to leveling the match. Marco Pašalić drives inside from the left and unleashes a left‑footed strike that skims past the post. Best chance for the hosts in a while.

Croatia are going through a rough spell. The team has lost rhythm and clarity since the changes, and Belgium look far more comfortable as the minutes tick away.

A huge scare for Croatia as Pongračić misplays a back pass, sending the ball dangerously toward his own goal. Kotarski reacts just in time, clearing it off the line before disaster strikes.

Belgium threaten again as Vuskovic and Kotarski scramble to clear a dangerous chance inside the box. The visitors keep pressing for another goal while Croatia hang on.

Belgium push forward again, creating a dangerous chance that Vuskovic and Kotarski manage to clear under pressure. Croatia survive, but the visitors are getting closer to extending their lead.

Belgium adjust in midfield as Axel Witsel comes on to replace Nicolas Raskin, adding experience and control for the final stretch.

Fernandez-Pardo tried to play a quick one-two with Lukaku, but Croatia’s defense read it perfectly and broke up the move before it could develop.

From a set piece, Vanaken rises and heads it off the crossbar, inches away from doubling Belgium’s lead. Huge scare for Croatia.

Croatia continue to rotate their lineup:

• Andrej Kramarić replaces Petar Sučić

• Nikola Vlašić comes on for Martin Baturina

• Kristijan Jakić replaces Josip Šutalo

• Nikola Moro enters for Ivan Perišić

As Croatia prepare their next round of substitutions, the referee calls for a hydration break. Both teams take the chance to regroup and refresh before the final push.

Belgium’s Koni De Winter goes into the referee’s book after a late challenge. The defender’s caution adds to the intensity as Croatia keep pressing for an equalizer.

Belgium respond with a full rotation to keep control of the match:

• Thomas Meunier replaces Kevin De Bruyne

• Brandon Mechele comes on for Maxim De Cuyper

• Koni De Winter replaces Alexis Saelemaekers

• Joaquin Seys enters for Amadou Onana

• Hans Vanaken takes the place of Nathan Ngoy

Croatia keep trying to break through, pushing numbers forward and moving the ball with intent, but Belgium shut the door each time, staying compact and denying any clear path to goal.

Another yellow card in the match: Budimir is shown a caution after a late challenge, adding to Croatia’s disciplinary tally as they push for the equalizer.

A dangerous cross comes in from the left, and Budimir attacks the space at the near post, rising to head it, but his effort crashes off the crossbar. A huge chance for Croatia to level it.

Croatia make six changes to inject fresh energy:

• Mario Pašalić replaces Luka Modrić

• Ante Budimir comes on for Petar Musa

• Luka Sučić replaces Mateo Kovačić

• Marin Pongračić in for Joško Gvardiol

• Dominik Kotarski takes over from Dominik Livaković

• Marco Pašalić replaces Josip Stanišić
  

De Bruyne tries his luck from distance, but the shot drifts wide and never truly troubles the Croatian goalkeeper.

Plenty of passes but not enough speed, Croatia’s buildup remains slow, and their possessions still lack the tempo needed to trouble Belgium’s defensive shape.

Ngoy reads it perfectly and cuts off Gvardiol’s forward surge, stopping Croatia’s attempt to progress down the left.

Croatia continue to build with patience, circulating the ball calmly as they look for the right moment to break Belgium’s lines.

De Ketelaere goes into the referee’s book, becoming Belgium’s first player to receive a yellow card in the match.

Croatia build down the left, but the move ends with Perisic caught offside, stopping the attack just as they tried to break into the box.

The first yellow card actually came right before halftime, we note a booking for Baturina, who went into the referee’s book in the final moments of the first half.

Croatia and Belgium return from the break, with Belgium holding the 1–0 lead after Youri Tielemans’ strike. The rhythm picks up immediately as both teams look to set the tone for the final 45 minutes.

Luka Modric is playing this friendly with a protective face mask as he continues to recover from a double cheekbone fracture suffered in a Serie A clash against Juventus. The Real Madrid star underwent surgery and is still taking precautions, making this only his second appearance since the injury.

Shots: Croatia 2, Belgium 4

Shots on target: Croatia 1, Belgium 3

Possession: Croatia 53%, Belgium 47%

Youri Tielemans' goal after 37' is giving Belgium the lead.

Croatia settle into possession again, dictating the tempo as they move the ball with confidence.

A sharp, quick combination from Croatia — with Kovacic orchestrating inside the box, nearly breaks through, but Tielemans steps in at the last moment to stop the danger for Belgium.

Croatia take their time playing out from the back, showing no urgency and no real discomfort against Belgium’s press, moving the ball with confidence as they advance.

Croatia circulate possession calmly, with Modric and Kovacic constantly dropping in to offer passing lanes for the center‑backs and keep the buildup steady.

Croatia’s pressure pays off once more, making it difficult for Belgium to build cleanly from the back and forcing rushed passes in their own half.

Ngoy reads the play perfectly and intercepts Gvardiol’s pass, cutting off Croatia’s attacking move and turning possession back Belgium’s way.

Modric carries the ball all the way from his own half with no pressure, gliding forward before slipping it to Musa, whose first‑time strike is poor and sails wide.

Doku cuts inside and tries his luck from the edge of the box, but Livaković holds it comfortably for Croatia.

Courtois is immediately closed down as the ball reaches him, leaving the goalkeeper with no choice but to clear it first‑time to avoid trouble.

Belgium enjoy an extended stretch on the ball, but they’re still struggling to break through Croatia’s compact defensive shape.

Belgium look to build from deep, but Croatia push up with very aggressive pressure, forcing the visitors to move the ball quickly.

Croatia control the first meaningful possession of the match, working a long passing sequence before Ngoy steps in to break it up.

The international friendly between Croatia and Belgium is underway at Stadion HNK Rijeka.

Both teams are lined up for the pre‑match protocol at Stadion HNK Rijeka. The atmosphere is building as Croatia and Belgium prepare for kickoff.

Belgium will play two international friendlies before making their 2026 World Cup debut:

• June 2 (today) vs Croatia

• June 6 vs Tunisia

Croatia will also play two international friendlies ahead of their 2026 World Cup opener:

• June 2 (today) vs Belgium

• June 7 vs Slovenia

Belgium: The Belgian national team is placed in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.

Croatia: The Croatian national team is placed in Group L together with Ghana, England, and Panama.

Players from both sides are out on the pitch at Stadion HNK Rijeka going through their warm‑up routines as we get closer to kickoff.

The match will be officiated by Rade Obrenovič, appointed to lead the crew for this international friendly at Stadion HNK Rijeka.

Full officiating team:

Referee: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)

Assistant Referees: Jure Praprotnik (SVN), Grega Kordež (SVN)

Fourth Official: Ante Čulina (CRO)

Today’s action takes place at Stadion HNK Rijeka in Croatia. With a modern design and an intimate atmosphere overlooking the Adriatic coast, it offers a strong home setting for Croatia as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Belgium’s starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Maxim de Cuyper, Arthur Theate, Nathan Ngoy; Alexis Saelemaekers, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin; Kevin De Bruyne (C), Jeremy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere.

Croatia’s starting XI: Dominik Livaković; Josip Stanišić, Josko Gvardiol, Luka Vušković, Josip Šutalo; Luka Modrić (C), Mateo Kovačić, Petar Sucic, Martin Baturina; Ivan Perišić, Petar Musa.

The match between Croatia and Belgium is scheduled to start at 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Stadion HNK Rijeka in Croatia.

In the United States, the game will be available via live streaming on Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Fubo, and ViX.

Welcome to our live blog! This time, Croatia host Belgium in an international friendly as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Stay with us for all the action and minute‑by‑minute updates of this matchup at Stadion HNK Rijeka.