Eden Hazard dropped for Belgium World Cup clash against Croatia

12/01/2022

Eden Hazard is DROPPED for Belgium’s crunch clash against Croatia, though Jan Vertonghen and Kevin De Bruyne both start as Roberto Martinez insists there is no rift in the squad… and Romelu Lukaku is on the bench again

Roberto Martinez has named his Belgium side for their clash against Croatia
And Eden Hazard has not been named in the starting lineup for the match
Jan Vertonghen and Kevin de Bruyne have both been selected, however
The team news comes after Martinez denied there is a rift in his Belgium squad
Belgium need to win the game to guarantee a place in the World Cup knockouts
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Eden Hazard has been dropped for Belgium’s crunch clash against Croatia, though Roberto Martinez has opted to name both Kevin De Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen in his starting XI.

Belgium have endured a difficult tournament in Qatar with star man De Bruyne telling reporters he believed the squad was ‘too old’ to lift the World Cup prior to their shock 2-0 defeat to Morocco, one which has left them in real danger of missing out on the knockouts.

French newspaper L’Equipe then claimed De Bruyne, Vertonghen and Hazard clashed in the dressing room following the defeat to Morocco, reporting Romelu Lukaku had to pull his team-mates apart.

Belgium captain Eden Hazard has dropped to the bench for today’s clash against Croatia

But Jan Vertonghen (left) and Kevin de Bruyne (right) have both been named in Belgium’s XI

Martinez – who strongly refuted those claims – may have scouted today’s clash against Croatia as a potential opportunity to rest some of his ageing players, but that luxury was denied by Morocco last Sunday.

With defeat, it’s now Croatia who top the table, but only on goal difference with Morocco only just behind – and facing an easier test in a pointless Canada.

Belgium have therefore once again named a strong lineup, with Vertonghen again starting next to his former Tottenham and Ajax partner Toby Alderweireld in defence.

Lukaku, meanwhile, once again will have to make an impact from the bench, if at all.

As for Croatia, there had been talk of a potential rest for 37-year-old Luka Modric, but the veteran midfielder has been handed a starting role.

Confirmed Belgium XI: Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Castagne, Dendoncker, Witsel, Carrasco, De Bruyne, Trossard, Mertens

Confirmed Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez is staring at the genuine possibility of an early exit in Qatar

Romelu Lukaku is once again on the bench and will have to make his impact late on – if at all

There had been talk of a potential rest for 37-year-old Luka Modric, but the veteran midfielder has been handed a starting role

Belgium need a victory to guarantee their progression to the knockouts, with a draw only enough should Morocco lose to Canada, while their goal difference is also three worse off.

Croatia meanwhile can afford to draw the game to go through, though only a win will guarantee them top-spot in the group.

The team that does eventually win the group will play their last-16 clash on Tuesday, December 6 at the Education City Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm. It will be against the Group E runners-up, which is currently Japan.

The team that finishes second in the group, meanwhile, will play the Group E winner – currently Spain – on Monday, December 5, again at 3pm, though this time at the Al Janoub Stadium.

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