October 10, 2024

Croatia defeat Morocco, claim World Cup third place

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Croatia have defeated Morocco 2-1 in the third place game of Qatar 2022.

Croatia scored twice in the first half.

Goals from Joko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic ensured Croatia take a third position finish at the World Cup.

Gvardiol converted a diving header from Ivan Perisic’s cross on seven minutes to give Croatia the lead before Morocco equalised two minutes later through Ashram Dari, who planted a looping header past the goalkeeper to restore parity for Africa’s last nation standing.

Orsic settled the match three minutes before the interval, bending in a superbly hit shot beyond Yaccine Bounou to make it 2-1.

A feisty second period did not produce any goal despite Morocco’s best attempts as Croatia, runners-up at Russia 2018, held on to claim the bronze medal at the 2022 World Cup.

It is their second third place finish of the World Cup, adding to their 1998 effort. Morocco on the other hand take fourth position to confirm Africa’s highest-ever finish of the World Cup.

Source

Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Third-Place Playoff – Croatia v Morocco – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – December 17, 2022 Croatia players celebrate after the match as they finish in third place REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Third-Place Playoff – Croatia v Morocco – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – December 17, 2022 Morocco coach Walid Regragui and Yassine Bounou talk to referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim after the match REUTERS/Lee Smith
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Third-Place Playoff – Croatia v Morocco – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – December 17, 2022 Croatia’s Luka Modric celebrates after the match as they finish in third place REUTERS/Lee Smith

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