Croatia 2-1 Morocco
Never mind the scoreline, this was an occasion to be proud of for both nations.
Croatia and Morocco leading the way and, against the odds, showing the world so many aspects of the beautiful game.
At the start of the World Cup 2022, few expected Croatia to come close to their 2018 World Cup exploits, while even fewer would have tipped Morocco to make history and provide renewed hope to the continent of Africa.
Yet that is what has happened and here were two countries, serving up the hors d’oeuvres 24 hours before the final, two countries who have given their all throughout the past month in Qatar, making their final contribution to a tournament which has been every inch a thrill.
Josko Gvardiol, the ‘man in the mask’, put Croatia ahead after just seven minutes before an instant equaliser and then came a brilliant winning goal three minutes before the break which earned Zlatko Dalic’s side a bronze medal and a third-place finish to add to their runners-up spot secured four years ago.
However, the scoreline was only part of what was something of a party atmosphere inside the Khalifa International Stadium.
Highlights of the game
Croatia made five changes to the side that was beaten by Argentina in the semi-finals.
Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer all came in with Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Borna Sosa, Mario Pasalic and midfield general Marcelo Brozovic, taken off in that match with injury, dropping out.
Morocco, meanwhile, made three changes to the side that were defeated by France on Wednesday night with Abdelhamid Sabiri, Yahya Attiat-Allah and Bilal El Khannouss al handed starts.
Injured skipper Romain Saiss missed out, along with Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui, and Azzedine Ounahi was on the bench, while West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd was not deemed fit enough to start.
It was the latest set of injury problems manager Walid Regragui had to contend with.
The SBOTOP World Cup betting odds favoured the Croats and they had an early lead when a free kick was played into the area and Ivan Perisic cleverly flicked the ball to Gvardiol who expertly directed a header into the corner.
That put an end to Morocco’s chances of emulating Holland (1974), Italy (1990), Brazil (1994), France (1998), Germany (2002), Italy (2006) and Spain (2010) as the eighth nation to keep as many as five clean sheets in a single tournament.
Their defensive qualities and their character have certainly shone through in Qatar and the latter did again almost immediately when Achraf Dari stopped low to nod in a looping ball from close range.
There was just 112 second between the goals.
A Mexican wave midway through the first half was not a sign of boredom or a lack of quality, more a sign of enjoyment from both sets of supporters who continued to be treated to plenty of entertainment.
Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi combined before the latter’s cross reached the unmarked Youssef En-Nesyri who may well have scored had he made a connection.
Then the same player flicked the ball just wide after an excellent corner delivered by Ziyech.
Croatia made them pay when Morocco gave the ball away and it was worked out to Orsic who managed to bend an inch-perfect shot beyond Yassine Bounou, who may have got a touch, which hit the inside of the far post and nestled into the back of the net.
The second half continued in the same vein with spirit and glimpses of real quality.
Gvardiol went down inside the box under a challenge by Sofyan Amrabat and the Croatia bench screamed for a penalty; the unmarked En-Nesyri was denied from point-blank range by Dominic Livakovic – along with Bounou arguably the goalkeeper of the tournament – Mateo Kovacic dragged his shot wide with just Bounou to beat and then, with seconds remaining stoppage time, En-Nesyri almost snatched an equaliser with a header which agonisingly landed on the roof the net.
Elsewhere, there was a final chance to see cameos from 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, at the age of 37 continuing to show his class; Amrabat, one of the emerging stars and substitute Azzedine Ounahi, another of the frontrunners in a team of heroes for the continent of Africa.
Third place is a fine achievement for a football-loving country of four million people in which the sport has even been linked with the birth of the nation itself and has a history of dumbfounding expectations and battling its way past more illustrious rivals.
Likewise, fourth place is magnificent for a nation which represented Africa, the Arab world and the power of diaspora, the Atlas Lions and their fans telling a story that is relatable the entire world over.
And so the curtain has come down on Qatar 2022 for Croatia and Morocco, but what World Cup highlights they have provided us with, what role they have played in a tournament which has displayed international football at its finest.
Key statistics
None of the 20 previous third place play-off matches at the World Cup have gone to penalties, with only one being settled in extra time (France v Belgium in 1986).
A European nation has finished third in the past 11 World Cups, since Brazil beat Italy in 1978.
This was Croatia’s second third place play-off match in the World Cup, previously beating Holland in 1998.
Modric has played in all seven of Croatia’s games at this World Cup – only goalkeepers Peter Shilton (1990) and Dino Zoff (1982) played as many matches at a World Cup while aged 37 or older (both seven).
Only Lionel Messi (16) has been directly involved in more World Cup goals than Perisic across the last three tournaments (11 – six goals, five assists).
What’s next?
That concludes 2022 for both countries.
Croatia will resume combat next March when Wales and Turkey will be their opponents in the Nations League.
Morocco do not have too much longer to wait. They kick off their African Nations Championship campaign against Sudan next month (January 15), followed by matches against Madagascar (Jan 19) and Ghana (Jan 23).
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