SportFootballWorld CupCroatia 2-1 Morocco: Orsic’s stunning finish was enough to earn Luka Modric a final victory at the World Cup
Fifa chief Gianni Infantino confirms expanded 32-team Club World Cup from 2025
Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday to leave Qatar on a high after the European side failed to reach a second consecutive final.
Mislav Orsic’s late first-half strike was enough to settle the contest after two early goals inside the first nine minutes set the tone for a pulsating encounter, Achraf Dari cancelling out Josko Gvardiol’s opener for Croatia.
A bronze medal may have served as nothing more than consolation after both sides endured disappointment in the semi-finals, but Croatia and Morocco looked eager to make amends after losing to Argentina and France respectively.
Youssef En-Nesyri came close when he headed over in stoppage time but despite Morocco’s best efforts to find an equaliser, Croatia held on for victory and the bronze, matching the feat of their heroes from 1998 who also finished third.
1671296138FULL TIME! Croatia 2-1 MoroccoCroatia hold on! They take third place at the World Cup and deny Morocco, who have completely lost their heads at the final whistle and continue to surround the referee. Croatia’s players celebrate another remarkable result at the World Cup.
Luka Modric gets a victory on his final World Cup appearance while Morocco can still take pride from their historic performance in Qatar and the best result from an African team in tournament history.
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:55
1671296129Croatia 2-1 Morocco90+6 mins: CHANCE! Morocco almost equalise at the death! En-Nesyri heads over!
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:55
1671296059Croatia 2-1 Morocco90+5 mins: Orsic is replaced late on for Croatia… he looks set to be the match winner.
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:54
1671295980Croatia 2-1 Morocco90+4 mins: Great defending from Croatia – Perisic, Gvardiola and Modric all with clearances. Livakovic then collects a driven cross from the left. Just a couple of minutes to go.
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:53
1671295919Croatia 2-1 Morocco90+2 mins: Croatia are so good in these situations and edge closer by taking a couple of minutes out of the game… Morocco continue to push, though.
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:51
1671295784Croatia 2-1 Morocco90 minutes: Morocco push forward again but Ziyech blasts over, after Croatia had cleared Hakimi’s cross from the byline.
There will be six minutes added on!
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:49
1671295726Croatia 2-1 Morocco89 mins: A late opportunity for Morocco as Ziyech stands over a free-kick, but his delivery is poor and is headed away. Ziyech’s had a great World Cup but has looked tired in this second half.
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:48
1671295583Croatia 2-1 Morocco86 mins: Chance! Kovacic almost settles it! The midfielder bursts into the box and wriggles clear, but pulls his effort wide of the post.
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:46
1671295458Croatia 2-1 Morocco83 mins: Emotions spill over from Morocco’s players, who lose it at referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim after Petkovic went down. Selim Amallah is booked for his protests but there were several Morocco players surrounding the referee there.
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:44
1671295261Croatia 2-1 Morocco80 mins: Ziyech’s cross drifts harmlessly out of play. Can Morocco find the equaliser to take this third-place play-off into extra time? Only one third-place play-off has gone to extra time before…
Jamie Braidwood17 December 2022 16:41
