Croatian celebrations in Mechelen
Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Article summary
Belgium 0-2 Croatia Two goals in six first-half minutes mean the visitors win Group 8.
Article body
Croatia confirmed their progress from UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 8 with a 2-0 victory away to second-placed Belgium in Mechelen.
Four-point advantage
The result gave Croatia a four-point advantage at the top of the four-team group with just one match left to play. Belgium, level with Bulgaria on seven points, have to defeat Estonia on 10 October to guarantee second place, while Bulgaria visit Croatia the same night and must hope they record a better result than the Belgians.
Two quick goals
Croatia effectively sealed all three points in six first-half minutes, after Gaby Mudingayi and Gregory Dufer had both narrowly failed to open the scoring. Defender Mario Lucic gave the visitors the lead in the 25th minute and, as the home side tried to regroup, midfield player Niko Kranjcar added a second five minutes later to give Croatia what proved to be an unassailable lead. Although Davy De Beule and Patrick Dimbala both had second-half chances for the home side, neither were able to find the net.
