Belgium open World Cup qualifying with 0-2 win in Croatia

Belgium began their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 0-2 victory over Croatia on Tuesday. Captain Youri Tielemans scored before halftime, while substitute Romelu Lukaku added a goal on his return to international duty.

Tielemans struck in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error to extend Belgium’s lead. Lukaku, making his first appearance for Belgium since March 2023, sealed the win in the 64th minute with a clinical finish.

Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne praised the team’s performance after the match. Courtois highlighted the squad’s collective growth during training translating into match performance. De Bruyne noted the positive energy and tactical execution under manager Domenico Tedesco.

Belgium dominated possession, completing 68% of passes compared to Croatia’s 32%. They created 18 shots, with 8 on target, while Croatia managed just 3 shots.

Lukaku’s return follows a long injury layoff, his goal marking his first international score since September 2022. Tielemans now has 8 goals in 57 appearances for Belgium.

Belgium next face Austria in their following qualifying fixture on March 25, aiming to maintain momentum ahead of the tournament.