AL RAYYAN: Luka Modric’s Croatia edged brave Morocco 2-1 to end their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign on a winning note that propelled them to finish third in the mega event.
The third-place play-off of the ongoing world cup started with a bang as the first nine minutes of the match witnessed Croatia opening the scoring and Morocco neutralizing.
Josko Gvardiol was the man for Croatia to put them in an early lead in just the seventh minute with a sensational header.
Last edition’s runners-up Croatia surged after Ivan Perisic glanced Lovro Majer’s cross into the box back towards a diving Gvardiol, who buried his header into the corner.
Croatia’s early lead, however short-lived as spirited Morocco came up with an astonishing equalizer just two minutes later when Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick looped up off the head of Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer, and fell kindly for Achraf Dari; allowing him to head past Dominik Livakovic.
Mislav Orsic’s then curled the ball magnificently via the post from the corner of the box and put Croatia back on top before half-time after Moroccan debutant Bilal El Khannouss lost the possession deep in his half.
Orsic’s sensational header late in the first half turned out to be enough for Croatia to sink Morocco 2-1 and finish their campaign with a bronze medal.
Croatia’s triumph over Morocco marked the 11th instance in a row when a European team finished in the world cup.
