Belgium were eliminated from the 2022 World Cup as they were held to a goalless draw by Croatia in the Group F finale at the
The Red Devils, third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, took just one win from their three group-stage matches finishing off a disappointing tournament for a team ranked second in the world.
Knowing a win was needed to reach the Round of 16, Roberto Martinez's side produced a lackluster effort.
Romelu Lukaku came on as a second-half substitute and had four quality chances, but failed to convert any of them, including hitting the post on one of them.
He also went wide and was late on his reaction when the ball hit him in stoppage time.
Croatia, who finished as runner-up four years ago, got the point they needed to advance, finishing second in the group as Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in the other group game to take top spot.
The Vatreni will face the Group E winner with the final standings of that foursome to be determined later today.
Story of the match
Martinez dropped captain Eden Hazard with Leander Dendoncker, Yannick Carrasco, Leandro Trossard and Dries Mertens coming into the side.
Belgium fielded a lineup aged 31 years, 95 days, oldest in the tournament so far and they were slow at the start, Ivan Perisic firing wide just ten seconds after kickoff after being played in by Luka Modric.
Referee Anthony Taylor then awarded Croatia a penalty after Carrasco caught Andrej Kramaric following Jan Vertonghen heading a free-kick clear from the edge of the six-yard box.
Taylor consulted VAR, which proceeded to reverse the decision as the shirt sleeve of Dejan Lovren was judged to be millimeters offside.
Martinez introduced Lukaku at halftime in place of Mertens and with 28 goals in last 28 appearances for Belgium, he seemed a sure bet to find the back of the net.
He showed his quality almost as soon as he came onto the pitch, recording the first shot on target by either side with a header and he set up Kevin de Bruyne, who fired wide.
Josko Gvardiol panicked and stuck out his left leg to prevent De Bruyne's cross from reaching Lukaku.
Croatia then enjoyed a good spell of play, Mateo Kovacic watching Thibaut Courtois, making his 100th appearance for the Red Devils, tip over his drive.
He then got low to keep out shots from Marcelo Brozovic and Modric before Lukaku was handed more opportunities to rescue this dire campaign for the 2018 semifinalists.
On the hour mark, De Bruyne's lovely angled pass was sent to Carrasco, his first touch seeing him get past two Croatia defenders, but his shot was parried by Dominik Livakovic.
The ball came across the box to Lukaku, who struck the left post with the net empty.
Three minutes later, De Bruyne sent in a cross that he headed over, although the ball may have rolled out of play prior to the ball coming to the striker.
In the 87th minute, Lukaku deflected Thomas Meunier's cross-shot wide. Moments later, he chested the ball straight at Livakovic with an open goal in front of him.
In the second minute of stoppage time, he was beaten to the ball by Gvardiol when he looked to set to prod home, the Red Devils, and perhaps this golden generation's chance to lift silverware, gone with it.
Player of the match: Luka Modric
While the Vatreni offered very little in attack and in truth should have lost had Lukaku converted any one of the chances they had, the Croatia captain marshalled his side through a nervy encounter to keep them in the tournament.