Croatia beat Morocco this Saturday, December 17 (2-1) and finished 3rd in this 2022 World Cup against a brilliant Moroccan team which will have experienced a historic epic in Qatar.
18:15 – The summary of the match
Croatia wins against Morocco and takes 3rd place in this 2022 World Cup (2-1). This little final started with a bang. Josko Gvardiol very quickly unblocked the situation with an unstoppable diving header after a perfect combination from a free kick (7th). But no time to doubt for the Moroccans who had never been led in this competition. Achraf Dari also responds to the Croatian defender with a header from a free kick (9′). After this equalizer, the Vatreni continued to attack but without really worrying Bounou except on Modric’s strike that the Sevillian goalkeeper pushed back in two stages (24th). The Croatian players will then experience a less good shot but it is paradoxically in this sequence that they will score the second goal. Mislav Orsic is served in the left corner of the Moroccan surface and rolls up his ball perfectly. The latter is unstoppable for Bounou who sees his post bring in the shot from the Zagreb winger (42nd). The second period was much less spectacular. The Croats managed their advantage and still relied on their goalkeeper when En-Nesyri was alone at the far post and took a volley (75th). The Atlas Lions seemed especially exhausted after this admirable journey in this 2022 World Cup. This fatigue left spaces which almost benefited Kovacic who missed a face to face with Bounou in the last minutes of the meeting (87th) . Despite a final attempt not framed by En-Nesyri (90th + 5), the Croats will have held on and therefore finish in 3rd place in this World Cup in Qatar.
18:00 – Another notable performance from Croatia
At the end of this Croatia – Morocco, the Vatreni still achieve a very high performance in the greatest of football competitions. In 1998, they also finished in 3rd place and they were the reigning vice-world champions. This is a feat for a nation of only 4 million people.
17:53 – Players finished at Khalifa International Stadium (2-1)
The final advantage in the score (2-1) of Croatia is rather logical in view of the stats available at the end of this meeting. The Croats have indeed a small advantage in terms of possession of the ball but have also and above all shown themselves to be more dangerous by framing more strikes (5 shots against 2 for Morocco).
17:53 – En-Nesyri takes the lead
It was undoubtedly the last Moroccan opportunity in this Croatia – Morocco. Attiat Allah crosses at the far post towards En-Nesyri who rises the highest but his head passes just above.
17:52 – Orsic gives way
Croatia’s decisive scorer in this meeting, Mislav Orsic, is replaced by Jakic who is playing his very first minutes in this 2022 World Cup.
17:50 – Moroccans on the attack
This additional time serves the Moroccans who give themselves up to try to come back to the level in this Croatia – Morocco. The Croatian defense is holding up.
17:47 – 6 more minutes
In this Croatia – Morocco there will be six more minutes. The Croats are still leading in the score and are getting closer to 3rd place in this 2022 World Cup.
17:46 – Ziyech misses his free kick
Hakim Ziyech had a great opportunity to bring the danger in this Croatia – Morocco but free kick does not pass the first defensive curtain of Vatreni.
17:44 – What an opportunity for Kovacic!
Matteo Kovacic perfectly eliminates his opponent in the area and opens his foot in front of Bounou but the Chelsea Blues midfielder misses the target.
17:41 – Amallah takes a yellow
Sélim Amallah takes a yellow card in this Croatia – Morocco after an elbow on Bruno Petkovic. The Moroccan environment is beside itself.
17:39 – Welcome back from Benoun
Petkovic crosses but Benoun makes a good tackle. The Vatreni therefore obtain a corner.
17:34 – Gvardiol should have received a penalty
On the previous action, Gvardiol seemed to have been largely unbalanced in the Moroccan area by Sofyan Amrabat. The Atlas Lions are doing well in this Croatia – Morocco.
17:32 – Livakovic exit!
Dominik Livakovic is decisive in this Croatia – Morocco! En-Nesyri is served at the back post but the Croatian goalkeeper makes an excellent exit.
17:31 – What a breakthrough from Gvardiol
What Gvardiol just did is crazy! The Croatian defender recovers a ball in his area and projects himself into that of the Moroccans before collapsing in this one but the referee of this Croatia – Morocco does not signal anything.
17:28 – Vlasic tries his luck
Vlasic takes his chance from 25 meters with a powerful shot but too high to catch Bounou’s frame.
17:24 – Another defender in trouble
Moroccans are cursed in this Croatia – Morocco and in this 2022 World Cup concerning the rearguard. After Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui, Dari, it is Ely Yamiq who gives up his place due to an injury. It is Amallah who replaces him.
17:22 – Double change for Croatia
Just after the Moroccan double change, Zlatko Dalic also made two replacements with the entries of Petkovic and Pasalic in place of Majer and Livaja.
17:21 – A double change for Morocco
Walid Regragui makes a double change in this Croatia – Morocco with the entries of Zaroury and Benoun in place of Dari and Boufal.
17:17 – Kramaric comes out in tears
It’s a terrible picture. Kramaric gives way in tears and is replaced by Torino player Vlasic.
17:16 – Kramaric is down
Andrej Kramaric seems to be in pain and could have a muscle problem that could prevent him from finishing this Croatia – Morocco.
17:12 – Ounahi enters the game
One of the revelations of this 2022 World Cup, Azzedine Ounahi, enters and replaces the young El Khannous.
17:10 – Panic in the Moroccan defense
Dari clears the head but it is not assured. Boufal then wants to put away towards Bounou but it goes for a corner. This start of the second period of Croatia – Morocco is difficult for the Atlas Lions.
17:07 – The center of Majer is interesting
Lovro Majer makes a superb cross but Dari deflects it just in front of Livaja who was prowling. The referee of this Croatia – Morocco finally signals a goal clearance.