Soccer-Croatia cling on to reach last 16 and send Belgium packing

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group F - Croatia v Belgium - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 1, 2022 General view as the Group F statistics are displayed during half time REUTERS/Albert Gea

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (Reuters) -Croatia scraped into the World Cup last 16 after a tension-filled 0-0 draw with Belgium that ensured the last hurrah of their opponents' 'golden generation' ended in a dismal group-stage exit on Thursday.

Roberto Martinez's Belgium side, ranked second in the world and semi-finalists four years ago, needed a win at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to keep their hopes alive but could not break down the Croats who finished as Group F runners up behind Morocco.