AL RAYYAN, Qatar — Luka Modrić led Croatia to third place in what was seemingly the midfield nice’s final look at the World Cup.
The runners-up from 4 years in the past secured one other medal by beating Morocco 2-1 within the third-place match on Saturday.
Mislav Oršić scored the decisive purpose shortly earlier than halftime at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium to make sure Modrić completed on a profitable observe, if this does become his final World Cup match.
On the age of 37, that appears seemingly, even when there are hopes he’ll lead his nation at the 2024 European Championship.
Joško Gvardiol put Croatia forward within the seventh minute, however Achraf Dari evened the rating within the ninth.
It’s the second time Croatia has taken third place. The staff additionally achieved that feat in its first World Cup as an unbiased nation 1998.
After turning into the primary African staff to achieve the World Cup semifinals, Morocco’s event led to two losses. However the staff’s achievements in Qatar will likely be remembered for the outpouring of delight amongst Arab nations.
The World Cup remaining between defending champion France and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at Lusail Stadium.
The third-place match is taken into account by some to be a meaningless exhibition. Even Morocco coach Walid Regragui described it as a “booby prize” within the buildup. However neither staff lacked motivation in a fiercely contested recreation between two nations that few anticipated to go to this point.
That was underlined by a number of gamers needing to be substituted due to harm within the second half as Morocco pushed for an equalizer.
The groups had already performed out 0-0 draw within the group stage and had made to the semifinals on the again of powerful defenses, with a mixed six shutouts. Targets weren’t an issue this time.
Maybe that was due to the relative freedom of enjoying in a recreation with supposedly little at stake. One other issue for Morocco, at least, was the absence of three key defenders, Romain Saïss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui.
The influence of these absences was felt when Croatia took the lead off Gvardiol’s diving header. In a slick transfer, Ivan Perišić flicked a free kick into the center of the penalty field and the middle again did the remaining.
Morocco responded two minutes later when Lovro Majer inadvertently helped on Hakim Ziyech’s free kick and Dari headed in to even the rating.
Croatia, nonetheless, was again in entrance three minutes earlier than halftime.
Oršić picked up the ball on the left of the field and curled a shot towards the highest nook. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou bought a contact on the ball, however may solely push it onto the put up on its approach into the web.
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