Croatia eliminates Belgium with 0-0 draw

Belgium has been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup after drawing 0-0 with Croatia in Group F.

Croatia could secure a round-of-16 berth if they avoid a defeat, while Belgium needed a victory to advance.

For its part, Belgium was eliminated from the competition by being left with a total of four units, product of a defeat, a tie and a victory.

After a goalless first half which saw Croatia seemingly more aggressive on the pitch, Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, came off the bench to replace Dries Mertens in the second half.

The 29-year-old striker could have put his team in front in the 60th minute when he got the ball in front of an almost empty net, only to have a shot ring off the inside of the post.

The Inter Milan forward came close again two minutes later, but his header went a little higher over the bar.

In the 87th minute, Thomas Meunier latched onto a loose ball in the Croatia box and steered it towards the goal. It traveled towards Lukaku, who sticked out a boot but sent his effort just past the right post.