Croatia lose to Belgium in Rijeka as Dalić tests new World Cup formation

Petar Musa

RIJEKA, 2 June 2026 – Croatia suffered a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in their World Cup warm-up match at Rujevica Stadium in Rijeka on Tuesday, with head coach Zlatko Dalić using the occasion to test a new tactical setup ahead of this summer’s tournament in North America.

Dalić deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation which he is expected to use at the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Dominik Livaković started in goal, with Josip Šutalo, Luka Vušković and Joško Gvardiol forming a back three.

Josip Stanišić and Ivan Perišić operated as wing-backs, while Luka Modrić captained the side alongside Mateo Kovačić in midfield. Petar Sučić and Martin Baturina played in advanced midfield roles behind behind striker Petar Musa.

Belgium also fielded a strong side featuring Thibaut Courtois, Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku.

Croatia made an encouraging start and looked organised throughout much of the first half.

Their first opportunity arrived in the 11th minute when Modrić slipped Musa through on goal, but the striker fired his effort over the crossbar.

Belgium took the lead seven minutes before the break. Doku’s cross into the area took a deflection and Šutalo was unable to clear the danger. The loose ball fell kindly to Tielemans, who made no mistake from inside the box, driving his finish beyond Livaković to make it 1-0 in the 38th minute.

Croatia nearly responded before half-time when Modrić tested Courtois with a well-struck effort, but the Belgian goalkeeper was equal to the task.

Despite trailing at the interval, there were several positives for Dalić to take from the opening 45 minutes as Croatia’s new system showed signs of promise against high-quality opposition. Once again, finishing will be of a concern for the Croatia coach.

Dalić made a number of changes on the hour mark, introducing Ante Budimir, Luka Sučić, Mario Pašalić, Marco Pašalić, Marin Pongračić and Dominik Kotarski.

The substitutions almost had an immediate impact. Within a minute of entering the pitch, Budimir found space in the box and met a cross with a close-range header, but his effort struck the crossbar.

It proved to be Croatia’s best chance of the second half.

Dalić made further changes, giving some game time also to Kramarić, Jakić, Vlašić and Moro.

As the match wore on, the tempo dropped. Both sides appeared to look as they were conserving energy, but it was Belgium who did look the more dangerous in finding the back of the net and they would in the final minute when Lukaku scored to make it 2-0.

Croatia will now turn their attention to a friendly against Slovenia in Varaždin on Sunday, 7 June. The match will be the Vatreni’s final outing before departing for the FIFA World Cup.

👋 Greetings from the @NKRijeka Stadium! 🇭🇷🇧🇪 #CROBEL #HrabarBroj #Vatreni❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/jK2FebzccQ

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 2, 2026

Croatia’s World Cup group fixtures

Croatia begin their World Cup campaign against England in Dallas on 17 June, with kick-off scheduled for 22:00 Croatian time.

Their second group match will take place against Panama in Toronto on 23 June (24 June at 01:00 Croatian time).

The Vatreni will conclude the group stage on 27 June against Ghana in Philadelphia, with kick-off at 23:00 Croatian time.