Under-pressure Belgium not 'in crisis mode', says Castagne

Belgium are not in "crisis mode" ahead of their crucial World Cup match against Croatia despite rumours of infighting and division in the squad, fullback Timothy Castagne said on Wednesday.

The world s secondranked side have to win at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday to be sure of reaching the last 16 after a surprising 2-0 loss to Morocco.

Belgium have reached at least the quarter-finals at each of the past four major tournaments but have struggled in Qatar, labouring to a 1-0 win over Canada in their opener.

However, Leicester defender Castagne said spirits in the camp were high.

"Our confidence isn t as low as people think," he said. "We know that we have our destiny in our own hands. It s true we didn t play so well in the first two matches but we re not in crisis mode like some people are saying in the press."

Belgium will have to push for the win as a draw would leave them needing Morocco to lose heavily to Canada in order for the Belgians to go through.

Morocco, like Croatia, can secure their place in the knockout phase by avoiding defeat. Kevin De Bruyne said before the Morocco game that Belgium were "too old" to win the tournament, a comment Jan Vertonghen appeared to refer to in an angry postmatch interview.

Seven of Belgium s starting XI against Morocco are in their 30s, while 10 of the 14 players who featured in the 2018 semi-final loss to eventual winners France are still in the squad. Players held clear-the-air talks for over an hour after the defeat by the north African team.

"I don t think Kevin meant anything bad by what he said and we know Italy won the Euros with (Leonardo) Bonucci and (Giorgio) Chiellini at the back, so age isn t always a factor," said Castagne.