THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF BETWEEN CROATIA AND MOROCCO - FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022

 CROATIA VS MOROCCO - THIRD PLACE PLAY OFF

FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

3rd place play-off begins, Croatia first strikes but Morocco catches up Soccer World Cup

The soccer World Cup Qatar took place on 17 December (18 Japan time) with the third-place match held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Croatia and Morocco faced each other.

Croatia opened the scoring for the first time in the first five minutes with Gubaldior's header from a free-kick in the centre of the opposition half.

Morocco quickly counterattacked. A free-kick on the right flank hit the head of an opposing defender, and Dali headed in the loose ball to equalise.

Croatia takes the lead in World Cup third-place match against Morocco

The third-place match of the World Cup Qatar took place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on 17 December (18 Japan hours), and Croatia finished the first half with a 2-1 lead over Morocco.

Croatia opened the scoring for the first time in the first five minutes with Gubaldior's header from a free-kick in the centre of the opposition half.

Morocco quickly counterattacked. A free-kick on the right flank hit the head of an opposing defender, and Dali headed in the loose ball to equalise.

Towards the end of the first half, Croatia regained the ball in front of the penalty area and moved to the left flank. Orsic's curled shot hit the post and into the net, giving them a 2-1 lead.

THIRD PLACE PLAY OFF MATCH BETWEEN CROATIA AND MOROCCO - 
FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022

Guided by accumulated history, Croatia makes great progress in the World Cup for the second consecutive World Cup

The soccer World Cup Qatar took place on 17 December (18 Japan hours) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Croatia, the runners-up of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, defeated Morocco 2-1 to finish in third place for the first time since 1998.

At the World Cup, where the world's best teams gathered, it was once again an imposing performance. Four years ago, Croatia reached the final of the World Cup in Russia without a mark, and also finished third on Qatar. The younger generation has inherited the accumulated history and built up a position as a powerful nation, and the word "ambush" is no longer appropriate.

In the seventh minute of the first half, a change-up free-kick created a gap in the opposition defence and Gubaldior opened the scoring with his head. They trailed in the second minute, but their skill in the game remained unchanged even as the game changed rapidly.

After 40 minutes of the first half, he rocked Morocco with a short pass. They lost the ball once, but Kovacic regained it deep in the opposition half and moved to the left. In the end, Orsic took a direct shot from the left angle. The ball rolled from above the goalkeeper's head and hit the right post and was sucked into the goal. "I knew that if I just focused on defence, I wouldn't be able to do it, and I did exactly that," Orsic said.

After the last tournament, key players such as Mandzukic and Rakitic retired from the national team, and a generational change progressed. Only eight players have finished as World Cup runners-up in this tournament, including Modric. However, the spirit of the players who led the team has been inherited. Kovacic, who played in Russia at the age of 24, said: "It was an honour to see them play up close, they taught me how to play for my country at the World Cup." Everyone is muddy to win, and their style of working hard offensively and defensively has not changed.

"Batrenj" (nicknamed the Croatian national team for flame) made a breakthrough in 1998 when they made their first appearance in the tournament, finishing third. Modric and others who grew up watching this situation reached the runners-up finish in the previous tournament, and since then, young players such as 20-year-old Gbaldior have emerged. The success experience of a country that has nurtured abundant human resources with a population of about 4 million has led to a virtuous cycle.

"The journey is over," Daric said after the game. "We have young players in the team and there is great hope for Croatia". There is no doubt that the success of this tournament will lead to the future.

Croatia finished third for the first time in 24 years beat Morocco 2-1 at the Soccer World Cup

The FIFA World Cup Qatar took place on 17 December (18 Japan hours) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where defending runners-up Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 to finish in third place for the first time since the 1998 World Cup in France.

Croatia opened the scoring for the first time in the seventh minute of the first half with Gubaldior's header from a free-kick in the centre of the opposition half.

The goal was immediately equalised, but in the 42nd minute of the first half, he regained the ball in front of the penalty area and moved to the left flank. Orsic's curled shot hit the post and into the net. They took a 2-1 lead and ran away.

Morocco equalised at one point in the ninth minute of the first half when a free-kick from the right flank hit the head of an opposing defender and Dali headed in the loose ball. This tournament was the first African team to reach the last four. If they won that day, they would have finished third except European and South American teams since the United States at the first Uruguay World Cup in 1930, but they missed out on the feat for the first time in 92 years.

CROATIA BEATS MOROCCO TO SECURE THIRD POSITION IN FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022

European organizational style shows Africa's potential Morocco ranks majestic 4th

The soccer World Cup Qatar took place on 17 December (18 Japan hours) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Morocco lost to Croatia 2-1 and missed out on third place for the first time among African teams.

Just before the end of the match, Nesiri's header went just over the crossbar. Morocco fell short of third place for the first time since the United States in the first edition of the tournament in 1930 as a team outside of Europe and South America, but Reglaghi said: "Well done, they gave it their all."

The interval between matches was one day shorter than the opponents, but two days, and the main defenders who had supported the defence were also missing due to injury. Still, the Lion of Atlas, named after the mountain range that runs through the country, was brave to the end.

Two minutes after conceding the opener, Dali headed in from a free-kick in the ninth minute of the first half. When both centre-backs Dali and Yamik were substituted midway through the second half, defensive midfielder Amrabat entered the final line and all of them endured hard and came close to scoring on the counter. However, Bouffal's shot was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, and the team was one goal away from it.

The sixth World Cup was a departure from chaos. Former Japan national team coach Halilhodzic, who had clashed with key players, was sacked about three months before the start of the season. His successor, coach Regraghi, who is also a former Moroccan national team player, instilled a style of defensive fast-paced attack and flexibly swayed the line according to the opponent. Of the 26 players in the squad, 14 have played in Europe's top five leagues. The team regained its unity under Regragi and continued to make good progress.

Cameroon became the first African team to reach the top eight at the '90 Games, and although it is said that the 21st century will be the age of Africa, African teams that sometimes tend to rely on their high physical abilities continue to struggle. 32 years have passed since then. Despite reaching the final and falling just short of third place, the team made its potential known once again by clever adopting European organisational style to reach the last four for the first time.

"Africans love football, and Morocco has shown that they are capable and not far from other teams," said Regraghi. "In 15~20 years, there is no doubt that African teams will win the World Cup." Those words no longer sound like mere pipe dreams.

MOROCCO SECURED 4TH POSITION IN FOOTBALL WORLD CUP 2022 AFTER GETTING DEFEATED BY CROATIA

Modric confirms Croatia international: "I'm more proud of any club"

The soccer World Cup Qatar took place on 17 December (18 Japan hours) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Croatia, the runners-up of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, defeated Morocco to finish in third place for the first time since 1998.

Croatia's Modric, who carried the bronze medal around his neck, repeatedly pumped his fist up on the podium. He expressed his disappointment at not reaching the top of the tournament following the last time they finished runners-up in Russia 2018, but added: "We have to be proud of this bronze medal because we are confident that Croatia can win a big trophy [of winning the World Cup] in the future."

In his fourth World Cup at the age of 37, he started all seven matches. On this day, he covered the pitch as much as possible, scattering passes from behind to build up the attack, and preventing pinch with plenty of momentum and generous physical play. The captain, who literally led the team in offense and defence as a mainstay, proudly stated, "It is important that we were able to win a medal, because it is not the same whether we return from the World Cup as winners or losers."

The World Cup is likely to be his last, but he made it clear after the match that he still wants to stay with the national team. "Playing for the national team is more proud than playing for any club". They have indicated their intention to reach the semi-finals of the European Nations League in June next year and have finished their fourth World Cup with all their might.

Defensive and attacking substandard 20-year-old Croatian defender in the spotlight wearing a mask

The soccer World Cup Qatar took place on 17 December (18 Japan hours) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Croatia, the runners-up of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, defeated Morocco to finish in third place for the first time since 1998.

The 20-year-old defender, who will lead a new era in Croatia, was out of the norm not only in defence but also in attack.

In the 7th minute of the first half, a free kick from the center slightly to the left. Modric pretended to kick the ball as Mayer sent it into the space in front of him, and Perisic twisted his body and turned it over with his head. It was Gbaldior who ran in. He stabbed the opening goal to the left of the goal with a diving head.

In the 29th minute of the second half, he cut his own pass and left the ball to his teammates to go forward. Immediately after getting out in front of the goal with a through pass, the opposing defender approached him and he couldn't shoot a shot, but he gave the team momentum with his bold play.

The up-and-coming from Leipzig, Germany, also made headlines with his black face guard and lush beard to protect his broken nose just before the tournament. At 185 cm and 80 kg, he makes use of his strong body and speed to defend against each other proudly, attracting the interest of big clubs.

For his performance, he is also a strong candidate for the "Young Player Award", which is given to the most successful young player born after 2001. "It doesn't matter to me whether I win or not, this (third) medal around my neck is important," he said, but there is no doubt that it left a strong impact.