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Croatia clinched a deserved third place, capping off a wonderful run by beating the gallant Moroccans 2-1 in an entertaining third-place playoff in the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Saturday (December 17).
Both teams reached the last four on the back of emphatic defensive performances but played a more free-flowing, entertaining brand of football here, especially in the first half. Croatia took the lead through a well-worked free-kick in the sixth minute.
Lovro Majer picked out Ivan Perisic who had peeled away from the melee inside the box. Perisic nodded the ball back in, with the Morocco defenders not picking up the run of centre-back Josko Gvardiol. The 20-year-old duly headed it home in what a brilliant execution of a training ground move.
Morocco, though, hit back immediately. Hakim Ziyech looped in a free-kick that Majer misheaded, and the ball floated into his own box. Achraf Dari nodded in home from close range in the ninth minute.
Both teams gave it a good go after that. Achraf Hakimi's cross was inches away from the on-rushing Youssef En-Nesyri, who had overrun the ball, while Modric's low left-footed shot was well saved by Yassine Bounou in the 24th minute.
Croatia looked the more threatening of the two teams and took the lead through a beauty three minutes from half-time. Croatia attacked down the right through right-back Josip Stanisic. He passed it to Majer, whose stretched boot only directed the ball to a Moroccan defender.
Sofyan Amrabat, though, failed to clear his lines, and the ball fell to Kovacic, whose turnover went to Marko Livaja. He found winger Mislav Orsic on the left, who curled in a stunner to the far post that went in after hitting the woodwork.
Croatia would hold on to that lead despite some good chances for En-Nesyri, who had one shot saved and headed another over the bar from a fine cross from left-back Yatiat Attiyat-Allah in the last play of the game. The 2018 finalists toiled really hard to finish third, one where they won just two games outright, including this one.
Meanwhile, one can take nothing away from the Atlas Lions, the story of the tournament, the first team from Africa to reach a World Cup semifinal. They had not conceded a goal to an opponent player till Theo Hernandez struck in the semi-final for France. They then went on to ship four in two games in a sign of injuries and probable fatigue.
On that note, here're the five hits and flops from the game:
#5 Hit - Mislav Orsic (Croatia)
The winger was probably underutilised in the tournament. He did notch up a vital assist against Brazil and was dangerous throughout down the left against Morocco. Orsic scored a worldie and also notched up a key pass.
#4 Flop - Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)
Possibly the defensive midfielder of the tournament, the world has only had great things to say about the Fiorentina player at the 2022 FIFA World cup.
Despite his Sisyphean stint against the Vatreni, Amrabat was off the pace a few times, possibly because of fatigue setting in following his heroic performances throughout the competition.
He failed to pick up Gvardiol for the first goal, gave away the ball for the second and nearly conceded a penalty while slotting in at the back later. His passing was on the mark, though, making 90% of his attempts.
#3 Hit - Luka Modric (Croatia)
If the adage, ageing like fine wine, is applicable to anyone in the Croatian team, it is their midfield maestro. Modric played the entire 90 minutes in this battle for prestige and silverware and pulled the strings in midfield with aplomb.
He made an impressive 93% of his passes and also did some critical defensive work.
#2 Flop - Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco)
The towering striker became a national hero for his superb headed winner against Portugal. However, he's often lost in games, and his positioning play left a lot to be desired in this game. He had just 23 touches of the ball and made just 63% of his passes.
What really mattered, though, was how he took his chances when they came to him, and that is where he faltered. En-Nesyri overran a Hakimi cross, failed to shoot past Dominik Livakovic, and most crucially, headed over while relatively unmarked in the dying embers when he should have hit the target.
# Hit - Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
One of the defenders of the tournament, Gvardiol had a chastening experience against Messi and Co. in the semifinal.
He was, however, back to his best against Morocco. The 20-year-pld took his goal superbly to become the youngest Croatian to score in the World Cup. His defensive performance, though is what makes him a hit in this line-up.
Gvardiol was always on hand to intercept and break up Morocco's play while also initiating counters. He made four clearances and three interceptions. He also made a stunning run into the opposition box and nearly scored again late on.
