Doha/Al Rayyan, 2 December 2022 (dpa/MIA) – Belgium were dumped out of the World Cup in Qatar on Thursday after a 0-0 draw with last 16 qualifiers Croatia was not enough to advance, while Morocco beat Canada 2-1 and are through as Group F winners.

The golden Belgian generation led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku probably missed the last chance of winning a World Cup after they failed to break the deadlock against Croatia despite several clear chances in the second half.

Croatia, meanwhile, have to settle for second in Group F but will be relieved to progress to the first knock-out round after they had an early penalty overturned for offside.

The 2018 runners-up now face Japan in the last 16 on Monday, with group winners Morocco meeting Spain on Tuesday.

Morocco saw Hakim Ziyech open the scoring in the fourth minute and doubled their lead through Youssef En Nesyri in the 23rd.

Canada, who were already out of contention for the last 16, pulled one back thanks to Nayef Aguerd’s own goal but that was not enough for a comeback.

Belgium were ranked second in the world and finished third in 2018.

“It’s not easy to win a game like this. Today we were ready but wasted too many goal chances,” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said. “We can leave with our heads held high.”

He said the golden generation was not done, but it was time to be “bringing the next generation on. It’s not what names are on the pitch, the legacy can be left in many ways.”

He later told a news conference he was now leaving as Belgium coach.

Belgium were the first side with a chance after great play by De Bruyne in the 12th minute, but Dries Mertens’ finish went well over the bar.

Just two minutes later, Croatia were awarded a penalty after Andrej Kramaric was brought down by Yannick Carrasco. However, after a video review the referee ruled that Dejan Lovren was offside.

Lukaku came off the bench in the second half and immediately gave Belgium more offensive power, but the first clear chance after the break came through Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic, who had his powerful shot denied by keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Lukaku missed his first of many big opportunities in the 60th, when he got a rebound from Carrasco and hit the post. Shortly after, he headed the ball wide.

In the 87th, he deflected the ball from short-range and narrowly missed the goal. In his final opportunity, the striker tried to control the ball under the crossbar, but lost it and keeper Dominik Livakovic was quick to grab it and seal Belgium’s early exit.

After he left the pitch, Lukaku poured out his frustration by punching the dugout and breaking the plastic.

Morocco return to the last 16 of the tournament for the first time since 1986, while En Nesyri became the first Moroccan to score in two World Cups after he netted in the 2-2 draw with Spain in 2018.

The Canadians could almost celebrate the equalizer in the 71st minute, but Atiba Hutchinson’s header from a corner hit the crossbar and bounced on to the goal line.

“You saw our quality against a Morocco team that has just won the group. I’m proud of what these lads have shown here,” Canada coach John Herdman said after three losses from three games.

“We’ll keep learning as an organization and as a coach and player group. We’ve got four years to build and this is our first step into the big unknown,” he said, ahead of Canada hosting the 2026 edition with the United States and Mexico.