Context
Croatia welcome Belgium to Stadion HNK Rijeka tonight, kick-off 18:00 CEST, and both benches know this friendly is the last serious dress rehearsal before the autumn grind. Croatia have lived in the top tier since their bronze medal in Qatar while Belgium are still repairing reputations after that group-stage exit to the same opponent in 2022. Z. Dalić and R. Garcia are reading from very different scripts, yet the need for clarity is shared.
Croatia Briefing
Z. Dalić has built his camp around continuity. Dominik Livaković is expected to anchor a back line that should feature Josip Stanišić, Josip Šutalo, Duje Ćaleta-Car, and Joško Gvardiol. The full-backs give Croatia the option to step into a 3-2 build when Gvardiol tucks infield, something Dalić has tested to free Stanišić on the overlap. The midfield triangle of Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, and Nikola Moro remains the control tower; the emphasis tonight is on how efficiently they recycle the ball against Belgium’s athletic press. Up front, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Budimir, and Ivan Perišić provide contrasting movement. Kramarić’s knack for dropping between the lines will be critical if Modrić needs an extra angle when Belgium crowd the middle.
Belgium Briefing
R. Garcia is still settling into the role, yet his selection calls already matter. Thibaut Courtois is set to retain the gloves, with Timothy Castagne and Thomas Meunier as the flexible full-backs asked to manage Perišić and Kramarić. Zeno Debast and Arthur Theate look the likeliest centre-back pairing; both are aggressive step-out defenders, which suits Garcia’s intention to condense space around the halfway line. The midfield mix of Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans provides height and progression, while Kevin De Bruyne drifts inside to become the spare creator. Up front Romelu Lukaku will demand crosses and split runs, with Jeremy Doku expected to pin Croatia’s right side deep and Dodi Lukebakio supplying pace either from the right or as a secondary striker. Belgium’s balance has been an issue over the past year, so Garcia’s tweaks to their 4-3-3 will be under the microscope.
Key Battles
Šutalo versus Lukaku is the headline duel. Croatia will trust the centre-back in physical contests, but Lukaku’s movement across the line could pull Ćaleta-Car into awkward channels. On the opposite flank, Doku’s acceleration will test Stanišić’s positioning. Should Doku isolate him repeatedly, Dalić may have to ask Kovačić to shade across, which in turn reduces Croatia’s central shield.
In midfield the tempo will hinge on Modrić against Onana. Modrić’s ability to invite pressure and escape is Croatia’s preferred release valve; if Onana can keep him facing his own goal, Belgium’s press could trigger transition chances. Expect Tielemans to hunt second balls behind Lukaku, an area that Croatia must monitor through Moro’s coverage.
Tactical Outlook
Croatia usually start in a compact 4-3-3 but have been experimenting with quick vertical passes once Kramarić drifts into midfield. Dalić may want a faster tempo than usual because Belgium’s new structure is still bedding in. Early diagonals toward Perišić could target the space behind Meunier while keeping Belgium from building down their right.
Belgium under R. Garcia look set to build in a 2-3-5 with Meunier stepping high, De Bruyne joining the half-space, and Doku holding width. The pressing triggers should come when Livaković passes wide; Garcia will want Lukebakio and Doku to force long clearances, giving Debast and Theate the chance to win first balls. Belgium’s risk remains the space behind Meunier when Perišić and Gvardiol combine, so Garcia might rotate Castagne to the left mid-game if required.
Both camps have an eye on squad rotation later in June, and the likelihood is that substitutions arrive around the hour mark to protect senior legs. Even so, the opening 45 minutes should be played at near competitive intensity.
Key Numbers
- Kick-off: 18:00 CEST, Tuesday 2 June 2026
- Venue: Stadion HNK Rijeka, Rijeka
- Last competitive meeting: 0-0 draw, Al Rayyan, December 2022
- Croatia status: third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup
- Belgium status: eliminated in the 2022 World Cup group stage
Outlook
Croatia want to reaffirm their control game, Belgium want early evidence that R. Garcia’s tweaks will hold up under pressure. The medical teams on both sides know they need clean reports before qualifiers resume in September, and a sharp showing tonight will set the tone for that run, with the winner heading into the summer camp with leverage.
