Morocco’s fairy-tale World Cup sky ended in disappointment when the team lost 1-2 to Croatia in the bronze medal match.
The necessity of the bronze medal match has caused a debate, because, for example, the dullest medals are not played at the European Championships.
Croatia struggled in the final four years ago, while Morocco made it to the semi-finals for the first time in history – the first African team. Nevertheless, both teams went into the bronze medal match in earnest.
– The bronze match was different from previous years, the moment at the beginning happened and it happened. There was no such feeling of playing, Urheilu’s expert Jonne Kunnas pointed out.
If Guardiol gave Croatia the lead in the seventh minute. However, Morocco equalized just two minutes later Achraf Darin by hitting
Croatia’s winning goal remained by Mislav Orsic hit late in the opening period.
– Maybe the solution was that Croatia had modified their own ball phase a little, and not just canceled or waited, but tried to get behind Morocco more than in their previous games, Kunnas saw.
The judges’ decisions spoke volumes
However, the most telling situations of the match were seen in the second half. Many were waiting for the referee Abdurrahman Al-Jassimin taking the ball to 11 meters, when Josko Guardiol was brought down in the penalty area.
However, that didn’t happen – just as it didn’t happen a moment later, when Morocco Achraf Hakimi fell in turn at the other end.
– I was sure that both would become a comma. I was thinking about this especially in relation to the line that has been in these games and how VAR has been used, Kunnas revealed.
– Both situations filled the possibilities that a comma could have come. There was concern that the game would get out of hand. On the other hand, when the comma would have come for both, it didn’t change the game too much.
Before the match, the selection of judges for the bronze medal game caused consternation.
Al-Jassim had only whistled one match in the World Cup tournament before Saturday’s bronze medal match. At that time, Al-Jassim gave Wales a penalty kick ten minutes before the end of the regular game time. Wales rose Gareth Bale by hitting levels.
For example, a former top judge in Norway Per Ivar Staberg publicly wondered about the choice.
– It’s funny. Just like with players, selection should be based on performance. I’ve never seen a match refereed by him, which is strange. He has been a referee in only one match at the World Cup. It can’t be like that, Staberg commented to the Norwegian NRK. (you switch to another service)
Also the head coach of Croatia Zlatko Dalic marveled at the selection at the pre-match press conference.
– If I’m completely honest, I think Fifa is taking a big risk. I don’t underestimate anyone, but I hope we don’t talk about the referee after the game, Dalic said.
The Moroccan players had a thing for Al-Jassim throughout the game, but especially after.
– Questionable situations always affect and fuel it. At least I saw that the game evoked emotions and was important. But from the point of view of the game, if the referee allows discussions and things to go on constantly, the flow of the game is cut off and the referee starts to lose more of his grip from moment to moment, Jonne Kunnas estimates.
Hakimi marched on Infantino’s pack
For all the players in Morocco, just raging at the referee was not enough. A PSG defender who is one of the team’s star players Achraf Hakimi according to media reports, marched on the grounds of Fifa president Gianni Infantino himself.
– This is the second match in a row when you do this to us. What’s wrong with you, Hakimi growled SVT reporter by Johan Kücükaslan by. (you switch to another service)
The Swedish journalist tried to film the situation with his mobile phone, but the Fifa staff blocked the attempt and ordered to remove the pictures.
Hakimi admitted what happened For the Norwegian public broadcasting company NRK. (you switch to another service)
– I was a bit out of my mind about the events of the game. But what I said is between me and Infantino. I respect him a lot and when I saw him a little later I regretted the words I used, Hakimi commented.
Clean papers for Morocco
Morocco made African history when it became the first team from Africa to qualify for the semi-finals. The team performed cheerfully throughout the games, and received praise from Kunnas.
– All in all, Morocco can be proud of the tournament: the group win, then in the playoffs the giants’ overthrow of Spain and Portugal, and against France they still dug out of the playbook bank a new gear to play with balls. I think it was a great performance, praised Kunnas.
He plays in the ranks of the team by Achraf Hakim and Hakim Ziyech’s stars like PSG and Chelsea, so you can’t talk about any throwaway team.
– But it must be noted that they only changed coaches before the Games and the new coach only had time to be in charge for a few months. Still, he managed to organize the defense to a good level and the team to attack more.
Kunnas believes that in the case of Morocco, you can’t talk about the miracle of just one tournament.
– It is good for Morocco to build on this. In general, this indicates that the level has expanded. European countries don’t just show up and say that we’re going to the quarterfinals. Now there are more challengers, and that is only a good thing for football.