Croatia won third place in World Cup 2022

Since 1998, only three teams have reached the Top 3 at least three times in the World Cup: Germany, France and Croatia. Zlatko Dalic's army won an open match against Morocco thanks to two beautiful goals from central defender Josko Gvardiol and midfielder Mislav Orsic. Morocco also scored a goal in the penultimate match of the 2022 World Cup, with Achraf Dari's equalizer. With more luck, the African representative could have brought the match into extra time with Youssef En-Nesyri's close-range header at the last second.

Croatia was more appreciated and soon opened the scoring in the seventh minute, after a beautiful free-kick arrangement. Midfielder Lovro Majer hangs the ball into the box from the free kick, allowing Ivan Perisic to head back from behind. Center-back Josko Gvardiol rushed into the right rhythm to head into the far corner to knock out goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. This is the second goal of the 20-year-old midfielder for Croatia, marking a successful tournament.

Croatia's joy lasted only two minutes as Morocco equalized in the next attack. Hakim Ziyech hung the ball into the Croatian penalty area, when captain Luka Modric headed the ball back to the goal. Center-back Achraf Dari took advantage of the opportunity to head into the close range to beat goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Both teams continued to open up with opportunities, until Croatia scored the second after 42 minutes. After a quick counter-attack that seemed to be missed, Mateo Kovacic stole the ball from 18-year-old midfielder Bilal El Khannous. Striker Marko Livaja recovered the ball and flicked it to Orsic on the left. The 30-year-old midfielder cut his heart into the far corner and bounced off the edge of the vertical post into the net into a masterpiece at Khalifa International.

Croatia fell deep in defense in the second half, and both teams squandered their chances to score more. Drama happened in the 74th minute when central defender Gvardiol climbed into the penalty area to receive a teammate's poke, then fell because of the impact of midfielder Sofyan Amrabat from behind. Referee Abdulraman Al Jassim did not blow the penalty, although the slow motion showed Ambarat kicking straight into the Gvardiol field. During and after the match, the Moroccan player also repeatedly turned the home referee to react to his decisions.

Morocco counterattacked quickly and almost equalized. Anass Zaroury's cross put the En-Nesyri forward facing the goalkeeper from a tight angle, but he hit Livakovic. At the last minute, En-Nesyri missed another header from close range, just before the final whistle sounded.

This is the third time Croatia has entered the World Cup Top 3, after 1998 and 2018. Modric and his teammates closed the tournament with unexpected success after eliminating Japan and Brazil in the knockout round both on penalties. Livakovic is also full of opportunities to receive the "Best Goalkeeper" award.

Morocco nonetheless made history as the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Walid Regragui's army was still enthusiastically cheered by tens of thousands of home fans even though they lost this battle.

Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic; Modric, Kovacic; Majer (Pasalic 66), Kramaric (Vlasic 61), Orsic (Jakic 94); Livaja (Petkovic 66).

Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, Dari (Benoun 64), El Yamiq (Amallah 67), Attiat-Allah; Sabiri (Chair 46), Amrabat, El Khannouss (Ounahi 56); Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal (Zaroury 64).