UEFA Under-17 Euros kick off in Rakvere: Belgium hold off Croatia

The UEFA Under-17 European Championship got underway in Rakvere, Estonia, with Belgium securing an early lead and holding on despite Croatia attempting 17 shots on goal. Nearly 500 spectators watched an unusual match where Croatia struggled to advance past midfield for most of the game.

The UEFA Under-17 European Championship opened in Rakvere, Estonia, with a peculiar contest between Belgium and Croatia that left fans scratching their heads. Almost 500 spectators turned out to witness a match that began with quick Belgian dominance before turning into a prolonged defensive exercise.

Belgium struck early to take the lead, setting the tone for what would become a frustrating afternoon for their Croatian opponents. Despite registering 17 attempts on goal, Croatia were unable to find the net — a remarkable statistic that underlines just how resolute the Belgian backline proved throughout the encounter.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the match was Croatia's difficulty in moving forward. For the majority of the game's remaining 70 minutes after Belgium's opener, the Croatian side struggled to consistently get beyond the halfway line, leaving their attack isolated and ineffective. Belgium, content to protect their advantage, sat deep and absorbed whatever pressure came their way.

The tournament opening in Rakvere marks a significant occasion for Estonian football, with the country hosting one of UEFA's premier youth competitions. The atmosphere inside the ground, while modest in size, was enthusiastic — a promising sign for the matches still to come across the Estonian venues.