Group A: Croatia 0–2 Belgium

Game Summary

Belgium scored twice in the opening 15-minutes
Both goals came from Croatia ball losses so space for Belgium to attack in transitional moments
Croatia biggest chances were close range headers from crosses into the box
Standout performances:
- Belgium #11 Kiyan Achahbar
- Croatia #2 Lovro Trupčević

Starting Line-Ups

Croatia: 4-2-3-1 in possession & 4-4-2 out of possession
Belgium: 4-2-3-1 in possession & 4-1-4-1 out of possession

Croatia Observations

In Possession

Build-Up:
- Formed a 4-2-3-1 shape
- Lots of possession with CBs and backline in own and middle 3rd, circulating side-to-side in front of the Belgium defensive block
- Most frequent progression routes were around (fullback and winger combinations) and over (direct passes into the forward line from the backline, then compete for 1st and 2nd balls to gain territory)
- One pattern involved one of the double pivot (#16 & #6) rolling out into the fullback slot to get on the ball in space, facing-forward. This positional interchange triggered the corresponding fullback to advance and winger to move infield
Final 3rd:
- Main chance creation tactic was crosses into the box from wide areas

Out of Possession

Predominantly sat in a 4-4-2 mid-block
Applied high pressure from Belgium goal-kick build-up attempts

Players

#1 (GK) - Lovro Lojen
- No notes
#2 (RB) - Lovro Trupčević
- Consistently provided support on the RW during build-up and in the final 3rd by offering width, passing options below the ball, and overlapping and underlapping runs in the opposition half
- Multiple instances of manipulating the ball under pressure to create or wait for a passing angle before releasing pass
- 9th min: Culpable for the 1-0 goal after an under-hit backwards pass to the RCB allowed a Belgium attacker to regain possession and carry into the box
- 37th min: Combined well to help progress into the final 3rd (pass and move) and create a crossing opportunity
- 47th min: Anticipated danger and made a recovery run to provide cover for the RCB
- 72nd min: Timed a late supporting run into the final 3rd before delivering a cross to the far post that created a close-range headed opportunity
#4 (RCB) - Filip Pavić
- Helped Croatia control possession during build-up
- Predominantly circulated possession laterally across the back line in front of Belgium's defensive block, either to the LCB after enticing the Belgium CF or wide to the RB
- Consistently scanned as ball travelled towards him to assess passing options and repositioned himself to provide nearby teammates a passing angle
- 1st Half: Most progressive passes tended to be direct to the RW and consistently played passes into teammates' front foot, allowing them to play forward with their first action
- 50:43: diagonal line-breaking pass through Belgium's forward line on the edge of his own penalty box into an unmarked teammate in the left half-space
- 67:40: Showcased good first-touch to control a Belgium pass in behind, then composure and skill (pirouette) to evade pressure before retaining possession
#5 (LCB) - Karlo Zirdum
- Helped Croatia control possession during build-up
- Predominantly circulated possession laterally across the back line in front of Belgium's defensive block, most progressive passes tended to be direct to the LB or LW
- Towards the end of the 2nd Half, while chasing the game, occasionally carried the ball into midfield to progress beyond Belgium's first line before releasing a pass to an advanced teammate
#3 (LB) - Filip Tolić
- No significant notes - substituted at half-time
- Culpable for the 2-0 goal after allowing his opponent space at the far post before slow reaction (and seeming desire) to block shot
#16 (RCM) - Marin Modrić
- No significant notes - substituted at half-time
- An inaccurate backwards pass placed #3 under immediate pressure while facing his own goal, leading to the turnover that resulted in Belgium's opening goal
#6 (LCM) - Matej Miličić
- No significant notes
- Mis-control in final 3rd allowed Belgium counter-attack which led to 2-0 goal
#7 (RW) - Luka Bartolović
- No significant notes - subbed off at 70 mins
- 42nd min: Delivered a dangerous left-footed cross into the box from the RW
- 62nd min: Delivered a dangerous left-footed cross into the box from a wide freekick on the LW
#10 (AM) - Jona Benkotić (Captain)
- No significant notes - subbed off at 83 mins
- A few loose touches and mis-controls but struggled to get on the ball
#11 (LW) - Nik Žužić Škafar
- No notes - substituted at 78 mins
#19 (CF) - Jakov Dedić
- Appeared more physically developed (height & strength) than others which may have contributed to his effectiveness
- Multiple instances of controlling aerial balls on his chest with his back to goal under pressure before laying possession off to nearby teammates, helping Croatia retain possession and advance up the pitch
- Other notable involvements included a weak first-half shot from the edge of the box which lacked power and direction, plus a few misplaced passes
Substitutions:
- #15 (LB) - Ivan Paunović: No significant notes. A couple of progressive carries forward on LW
- #18 (RCM): No notes
- #9 (AM / CF): No notes
- #8 (RCM / RW): No notes
- #17 (LW): No notes

Belgium Observations

In Possession

Build-Up:
- Controlled possession in opening 15-minutes with a patient build-up approach using a 4-2-3-1
- Lots of ball circulation amongst their backline, in particular CBs who at times tried to break lines, in particular the LCB
- Aimed to progress through the 3rds, specifically via wide areas e.g. find their wingers to feet outside or inside and then either FBs support (overlaps and underlaps) or wingers carried inside before switching play
- 49:10: Build-up sequence from own 3rd to final 3rd which epitomised Belgium intended attacking game plan - patience, bounce passes, progression in wide areas, switch play to create 1v1 for winger
Final 3rd:
- Main chance creation tactic was looking for winger 1v1 situations or combinations in wide areas and half-spaces before cutbacks or crosses into the box
Attacking Transitions:
- Wingers (#7 & #11) looked threatening in attacking transitional moments, as space to attack

Out of Possession

Mainly sat in 4-1-4-1 mid-block and aimed to deny Croatia opportunities to play through
Due to system match-up, Belgium were able to man-mark in central midfield which made it difficult for Croatia to access their CMs and play through
To form this defensive block, #8 jumped up alongside #17 to cover the Croatia double pivot and #6 sat in behind where he could pick up the Croatia AM (#10)
To try and dictate the direction of Croatia possession, #9 (CF) had a specific defensive role of trying to lock Croatia onto one-side of the pitch by angling his press towards the Croatia CB in possession to block any direct passes to the other CB

Players

#1 (GK) - Mattis Seghers
- Several poor-quality passes during the 1st Half when attempting to play out from the back, with multiple ground passes into central midfield going straight to a Croatia player
- Distribution improved during the 2nd Half, successfully finding central midfield on shorter passes before also completing several longer passes towards the RW
#19 (RB) - Tinus Moorthamer
- Scored Belgium's second goal after supporting counterattack by getting into the box at the far-post
- Won a couple of 1v1 defensive ground duels
- Regularly supported attacks on the RW by offering width, passing options below the ball, and overlapping and underlapping runs in the opposition half
#3 (RCB) - Elie Mbavu (Captain)
- Predominantly circulated possession across the back line, with forward distribution mainly consisting of clipped aerial passes into the forward line
- On several occasions invited pressure towards the touchline where he would feint a pass down the line before turning inside to pass centrally or initiating a switch to the far-side
- Did not specifically analyse OOP play, but did notice his intentional positioning around the corner of the six-yard box when defending wide crossing situations
#4 (LCB) - Preben Blondeel
- Frequently remained on the ball under pressure (shielding), although this occasionally resulted in turnovers
- Attempted to shield the ball out of play on several occasions but was overpowered by Croatia #19, resulting in possession being lost in dangerous areas (repeated decision despite prior lost duels)
- Played multiple successful line-breaking ground passes through Croatia's midfield into teammates positioned between the lines
#2 (LB) - Sami El Morabet
- No significant notes
- Regularly supported attacks on the LW by offering width, passing options below the ball, and overlapping and underlapping runs in the opposition half
#6 (RCM) - Louie Van Gelder
- Consistently offered a passing option during build-up to connect play between the back line and midfield
- Frequently linked play through short combinations to help Belgium retain possession during build-up
- More willing than #8 to attempt forward passes into advanced teammates
- Showed moments of tenacity and willingness to compete defensively, albeit mixed success
#8 (LCM) - Xander Dierckx
- Consistently offered a passing option during build-up
- Frequently combined with the backline through sideways and bounce passes
- Minimal progressive passing attempts even when afforded time and space on the ball
#17 (AM) - Jelle Driessen
- Scored the opening goal after reacting quickest to an attacking transition, supporting the attack, arriving in the box and converting the rebound
- Consistently positioned himself between Croatia's midfield and defensive lines to offer line-breaking passing options
- Occasionally dropped deeper to support build-up
- Attempted several reverse passes and backheels in the final 3rd to penetrate the defensive line
- Made several runs beyond the Croatia defensive line, providing a depth option and creating space for the wingers to move inside
#7 (RW) - Jayden Onia Seke
- Assisted the opening goal after beating his opponent on the outside and delivering a left-footed cross to the far post
- Frequently drifted inside and to the LW to combine with #17 and #11
- Threatened in attacking transitional moments (open spaces) with direct ball carrying at speed
- Frequently looked to beat opponents in 1v1 situations, both on the inside and outside
#11 (LW) - Kiyan Achahbar
- Standout player
- Threatened in attacking transitional moments (open spaces) with direct ball carrying at speed
- Diagonal dribbler - drives inside onto stronger right-foot, helping create more angles for forward passes to supporting runners
- Typically offered to receive to feet on LW or in left half-space where he would then look to either beat opponent directly with a dribble or play a line-breaking / penetrating pass
- Primarily beat opponents through close control, ball manipulation and body feints rather than outright pace
#9 (CF) - Ilyas Benktib
- Struggled physically against Croatia's centre-backs during the 1st Half, resulting in limited success with hold-up play
- Used his body more effectively during the 2nd Half to secure possession (chest and feet), link play from back-to-front, and win fouls (received a big congratulations from coach when substituted)
- Consistently carried out his OOP tactical role of dividing the two Croatia centre-backs, although didn't display any real pressing intensity
Substitutions:
- #16 (LCM): No notes
- #15 (LW): No notes
- #10 (AM): No notes
- #13 (RW): No notes
- #20 (CF): No notes