Croatia staff rejoice their third place in the course of the World Cup third-place award ceremony at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 for third place. (AP Photograph/Andre Penner)
Doha: Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 within the World Cup third place play-off on Saturday, with Mislav Orsic curling residence the winner.
Josko Gvardiol, one of many stars of the match in Qatar, headed Croatia into the lead within the seventh minute on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium however Achraf Dari introduced Morocco stage immediately.
Orsic’s terrific curling strike late within the first half ensured Croatia took residence the bronze medal, the eleventh World Cup in a row a European staff has completed third.
Morocco, the primary African World Cup semi-finalists in historical past, had signalled their intent with a spirited show towards 2018 runners-up Croatia of their opening recreation in Qatar.
The rematch was nothing just like the cagey 0-0 draw within the group stage, with Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou dangerously near passing the ball into his personal web early on.
Croatia quickly surged in entrance from a well-rehearsed free-kick as Ivan Perisic nodded Lovro Majer’s clip into the field again in the direction of a diving Gvardiol, who planted his header into the nook.
However Morocco hit again two minutes later when Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick looped up off the top of Majer, permitting Dari to move previous Dominik Livakovic.
Andrej Kramaric headed straight at Bounou, who then did properly to scoop the ball to security as Marko Livaja closed in after spilling a drive from Luka Modric.
Orsic curled in brilliantly by way of the submit from the nook of the field to place Croatia again on prime earlier than half-time after 18-year-old Morocco debutant Bilal El Khannouss misplaced the ball deep in his half.
Orsic once more went shut moments after the restart, his goalbound effort brushing Jawad El Yamiq and fizzing narrowly previous the submit.
Croatia have been livid when Gvardiol tumbled inside the realm when his foot gave the impression to be caught by Sofyan Amrabat, however there was no VAR evaluate.
It may have proved a match-changing second had Youssef En-Nesyri discovered a well beyond Livakovic, who unfold himself beautifully to dam the striker from shut vary.
Mateo Kovacic put large with the prospect to place the sport past doubt. Morocco had a late penalty enchantment turned down and En-Nesyri headed simply over however the Atlas Lions couldn’t discover a manner again after their historic run.
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