No significant change in the FIFA ranking was noticed as international matches have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed more than 4 lakh lives across the world.
Retaining its year-end No. 1 spot, Belgium extended its lead over World Cup champion France going into a four-month break for the top national teams.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe, Wissam Ben Yedder, Florian Thauvin and Kurt Zouma helped France beat Andorra 4-0 and reclaim first place in Group H while Belgium, Germany and Italy also earned easy wins.
Ever since losing to France in the World Cup final, Croatia has struggled to replicate the form of its greatest ever tournament showing.
Brazil are No. 3 and World Cup runner-up Croatia is No. 4 in a mostly unchanged monthly ranking.
The result left Belgium with six points from two games in Group 2 of the top-tier League A, three points more than Switzerland.
It was the biggest defeat ever for Croatia, who were playing their first competitive game since reaching the World Cup final in Russia.
Brazilian-born midfielder Jorginho converted the spot-kick after substitute Federico Chiesa earned the late penalty for Italy.
Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard scored a goal each for the Belgians, who lost to France in the semifinals on Tuesday.
The third-placed match has often been criticised by many as the two nations who couldn't reach the finals, fight for a bronze medal on Saturday before the finals at Moscow.
The experienced Hugo Lloris, set to make his 103rd international appearance, will be facing a Belgian team that has scored a tournament-leading 14 goals in five matches.
Belgium overcame five-time world champions Brazil 2-1 on Friday to book their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup only for the second time after a gap of 32 years.
Belgium topped Group D with a 100 per cent winning record following wins over Panama, Tunisia and England.
Belgium averaged three goals per game, and looked flashy even when playing mostly reserves against England in winning the last group game.
On the win, the United midfielder wa content but has cautioned his Belgian teammates on the situations getting tougher as they advance onto the knockout phase.
Belgium and England have already qualified for the last 16 — only the group winner needs to be decided.
Romelu Lukaku was in top form on Monday as he scored a brace to lead his team to a 3-0 victory over Panama.
The two goals from Lukaku came shortly after Mertens scored from about 18 yards in the opening moments of the second half.
Belgium were unbeaten in their qualifying campaign and after the quarter-final disappointment at Euro 2016, coach Martinez would aim to inspire his boys to do better.
Spain beat Portugal at the 2010 World Cup, and again in the semifinals of the 2012 European Championship, going on to win the tournament both times.
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