Croatia ended up taking third place on the World Cup after a 2-1 win over Morocco at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium on Saturday. Croatia followers got here out to the streets and thronged the massive television screens. They lit flares and celebrated into the night time within the nation’s capital metropolis of Zagreb.
Luka Modric high-fived and embraced his Croatia teammates after what was doubtless the midfield nice’s final look on the World Cup.
Among the Morocco gamers sank to their knees in dismay, whereas others went in quest of the referee to complain.
The scenes!!! ❤️#FIFAWorldCup #HRV #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/j63Eqsz0wa
— Croatian Soccer 🇭🇷🇺🇦 (@CroatiaFooty) December 17, 2022
A lot for this being a meaningless recreation.
“It’s as if we now have gained the gold,” mentioned Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić, whose group misplaced within the remaining 4 years in the past.
To some, the third-place match is taken into account to be little greater than an exhibition between two dropping semifinalists. The day earlier than the match, Morocco coach Walid Regragui described it as a “booby prize.”
Nevertheless, as the ultimate whistle blew on Morocco’s historic run on the World Cup, the frustration was clear to see.
So, too, was the delight on Croatian faces.
Modric, on the age of 37 and a serial winner of soccer’s largest prizes with Actual Madrid, couldn’t preserve the smile from his face as he went as much as gather his bronze medal.
“This medal is essential for us, for me, for my nation, for Croatia as a nationwide group,” Modric mentioned. “We affirm with this medal that Croatia is taking part in an vital position in world of soccer. We’re leaving Qatar as winners.”
A victorious return of the #FIFAWorldCup bronze medallists! 🥉🎉🎊🎈#Qatar2022 #Household #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/7VLhi9ykPH
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) December 17, 2022
The World Cup remaining between defending champion France and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at Lusail Stadium.
Mislav Orsic scored the decisive objective for Croatia shortly earlier than halftime to make sure Modric completed on a successful word, if this does certainly become his final World Cup match.
“Now it’s step-by-step by step and proceed till least the Nations League and after we’ll see,” Modric mentioned.
Defender Josko Gvardiol put Croatia forward within the seventh minute with a diving header, however Achraf Dari evened the rating within the ninth.
It’s the second time Croatia has taken third place on the World Cup. The group additionally achieved that feat in its first look on the event as an impartial nation in 1998.
“These are the moments we reside for, we work for, we practice for,” Dalić mentioned. “That’s essentially the most emotional second of the World Cup for us, tonight’s match and the win.”
Croatia’s Luka Modric, proper, Ivan Perisic, heart, and Mateo Kovacic rejoice with their medals after the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between Croatia and Morocco at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Croatia gained 2-1. (AP Picture/Hassan Ammar)
After changing into the primary African group to achieve the World Cup semifinals, Morocco’s event led to two losses. However the group’s achievements in Qatar can be remembered for the outpouring of pleasure amongst Arab nations.
“After all we’re upset, however after we get up tomorrow we’ll understand how a lot we now have achieved,” Regragui mentioned. “We had 0.01% of successful this World Cup on the outset and we managed to get by to the final 4. We performed towards a number of the footballing powerhouses of the world.
“We are actually one of many high 4 groups on this planet and for those who had instructed me that earlier than the World Cup and that Morocco can be No. 4 on this planet, I’d have accepted that right away.”
Morocco’s run to the semifinals was the unlikeliest story of the event, topping a bunch that contained Croatia and second-ranked Belgium. The group then beat Spain and Portugal within the knockout levels.
“For me, soccer makes individuals dream and kids specifically,” Regragui mentioned. “In Morocco and Africa, we now have saved these goals alive. It means greater than a victory on the World Cup.”Subscriber Solely StoriesPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium
– With AP inputs