Croatia vs Morocco Live Commentary, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Group A
1	Netherlands	3	2	1	0	5	1	4	7
2	Senegal	3	2	0	1	5	4	1	6
3	Ecuador	3	1	1	1	4	3	1	4
4	Qatar	3	0	0	3	1	7	-6	0
Group B
1	England	3	2	1	0	9	2	7	7
2	USA	3	1	2	0	2	1	1	5
3	Iran	3	1	0	2	4	7	-3	3
4	Wales	3	0	1	2	1	6	-5	1
Group C
1	Argentina	3	2	0	1	5	2	3	6
2	Poland	3	1	1	1	2	2	0	4
3	Mexico	3	1	1	1	2	3	-1	4
4	Saudi Arabia	3	1	0	2	3	5	-2	3
Group D
1	France	3	2	0	1	6	3	3	6
2	Australia	3	2	0	1	3	4	-1	6
3	Tunisia	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	4
4	Denmark	3	0	1	2	1	3	-2	1
Group E
1	Japan	3	2	0	1	4	3	1	6
2	Spain	3	1	1	1	9	3	6	4
3	Germany	3	1	1	1	6	5	1	4
4	Costa Rica	3	1	0	2	3	11	-8	3
Group F
1	Morocco	3	2	1	0	4	1	3	7
2	Croatia	3	1	2	0	4	1	3	5
3	Belgium	3	1	1	1	1	2	-1	4
4	Canada	3	0	0	3	2	7	-5	0
Group G
1	Brazil	3	2	0	1	3	1	2	6
2	Switzerland	3	2	0	1	4	3	1	6
3	Cameroon	3	1	1	1	4	4	0	4
4	Serbia	3	0	1	2	5	8	-3	1
Group H
1	Portugal	3	2	0	1	6	4	2	6
2	Korea Republic	3	1	1	1	4	4	0	4
3	Uruguay	3	1	1	1	2	2	0	4
4	Ghana	3	1	0	2	5	7	-2	3

Matches Played

Matches Won

Matches Drawn

Matches Lost

Goals For (Goals scored by a team)

Goals Against (Goals conceded by a team)

Goal Difference

Pts

Total Points

2 - Croatia have only lost two of their 14 total matches across the last two #FIFAWorldCup tournaments (W6 D6): versus France in the 2018 final (2-4) and Argentina in this year’s semi-final (0-3). Granite. pic.twitter.com/hFxQCwYCOx
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 17, 2022

That would be all for now as we bring down the curtains to this LIVE commentary. Hope it was as much fun as it was bringing it to you. We will be back tomorrow with the massive final between Argentina and France. Tune in early as we build up big for the biggest international game of the year. Until then, take care and good night folks !!

Croatia 🇭🇷 finish third at the 2022 World Cup and will be pleased with a second consecutive podium finish and third in general.

A country with less than 4 million people achieving this in six appearances with their first coming only in 1998 is remarkable. Congratulations. 👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/kMNJdUML6I
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) December 17, 2022

Croatia go home with a bronze medal to their name, one which they have earned with hardship and resilience. As for Morocco, they can be more than proud of what they have achieved in the tournament. They have set an example and become the inspiration for many non-European nations around the globe.

Thank you, Morocco 🇲🇦

They dared to dream and they absolutely delivered 👏

The best ever finish by an African nation in the #FIFAWorldCup 😍 pic.twitter.com/6Tjf95x8qO
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 17, 2022

Morocco came out with a positive intent in the second half with En-Nesyri forcing Livakovic into a smart save late in the second half. In the end, Croatia's experience and the Atlas Lions' lack of quality in the final third made the difference. It was a well fought contest and an entertaining one.

Croatia register a third-place finish as they beat Morocco 2-1 in an eventful game. They took an early lead through Gvardiol but it just took minutes for Achraf Dari to cancel out. After some productive chances, it was Orsic's amazing curling goal that restored Croatia's lead minutes before half time.

90+6' FULL TIME!! That's it. Croatia win it as they manage to hold their lead in the second half.

90+6' CLOSEE!!! En-Nesyri jumps high to meet Attiyat Allah's cross from the left but it grazes over the top of the goal. Big chance missed.

90+5' Mislav Orsic is subbed off. Kristijan Jakic comes on.

90+3' Morocco not able to create a clear-cut chance with time running out of their hands. Three more minutes left.

90+1' En-Nesyri is down in the box but VAR checks confirms on foul play there.

Additional time: 6 minutes

90' Morocco win a free kick 30 yards out. Can they grab a late equalizer here?

What a player Josko Gvardiol is. Just made two superb interceptions, then long run, ended by a blatant foul by Amrabat catching his ankle. Clear penalty. None given. Hakimi then barged over. No foul given. Officials poor and losing control. #CROMAR
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 17, 2022

87' CHANCE!! What a chance for Kovacic to kill the game. He does well to beat past Hakimi in the box but his left-footed shot is wide off the goal.

84' Selim Amallah is shown a yellow for using his elbow on Petkovic while challenging for the ball.

83' Morocco still not giving up but Croatia showcasing their experience in handling the situation as they have done in the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup.

79' The challenge on Gvardiol looked like a penalty, surprising how with VAR those aren't given. Amrabat clearly catches the Croatian defender's leg from behind there.

77' Amrabat has had a poor game today, a rare one in the tournament, which is one of the reasons why the Atlas Lions have looked more open defensively.

75' VAR is into play as Amrabat looks guilty of fouling Gvardiola in the box. The check is clear, no foul.

73' Morocco not giving up as they continue flooding crosses in the Croatian box but they will need more quality to beat this Croatian defense.

Morocco have got through another two central defenders tonight. Both El Yamiq and goalscorer Dari off injured. Quite remarkable with two already out through injury along with a left-back.

Amrabat is now playing at centre back. #MAR #HRV #FIFAWorldCup
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 17, 2022

71' CLOSE!! Vlasic shoots from outside the box but his shot goes over the bar. Decent attempt.

69' Azzedine Ounahi gets the first yellow of the game for arguing with the referee.

67' Jawad El Yamiq cannot continue anymore as he is struggling with an injury. He is subbed off as Selim Amallah comes on.

66' Lovro Majer also goes off as Mario Pasalic comes on.

66' Croatia now with a couple of changes. Marko Livaja comes off. Bruno Petkovic replaces him.

64' The other change sees Achraf Dari get subbed off. Badr Benoun comes on to replace him.

64' Morocco make a couple of changes. Sofiane Boufal is subbed off. Anass Zaroury comes on.

61' Kramaric is in tears as he is now subbed off because of what looks like a hamstring injury. Nikloa Vlasic comes on.

Walid Regragui bringing on Ilias Chair means that Morocco has used 22/23 outfield players in their squad during this tournament

It also means Ziyech is no longer on the right-wing, but will instead play more centrally and play deeper - I think you'll get more out of him there
— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) December 17, 2022

56' With Ounahi now on the pitch, the Atlas Lions have quite the attacking prowess to find the equalizer.

55' El Khannouss is subbed off. Azzedine Ounahi comes on.

Walid Regragui bringing on Ilias Chair means that Morocco has used 22/23 outfield players in their squad during this tournament

It also means Ziyech is no longer on the right-wing, but will instead play more centrally and play deeper - I think you'll get more out of him there
— Maher Mezahi (@MezahiMaher) December 17, 2022

54' Chaos in the Moroccan box as they fail to clear. It results in one more corner for Croatia.

48' Abdelhamid Sabiri was subbed off at the break. Ilias Chair comes on to replace him.

47' CLOSE!! Orsic comes close again as he shoots from just outside the box but his shot is deflected and hits the side-netting. Corner for Croatia.

46' We are underway for the second half as Morocco face a challenge to score more than what they have scored collectively in the tournament so far.

Mislav Orsic has scored his 2nd ever International goal. Both of his Internatioanl goals have come in tournament Knock-out matches.

What a beautiful finish. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/m91fBYSfIJ
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 17, 2022

It was all Croatia then as they looked dangerous on the counter. As the half-time approached, Morocco grew into the game before Mislav Orsic scored a worldie minutes before the break to restore Croatia's lead. All in all, it has been an entertaining half as both teams have looked impressive in attack in their own ways.

Given the defensive approach both teams had in the tournament, not many expected the game to be as engaging as it has been in the first half. Gvardiol's loopy header in the sixth minute gave Croatia the lead before Dari's header equalized for the Atlas Lions just two minutes later.

45+2' HALF TIME!! The referee blows the whistle as an entertaining half comes to an end. Croatia lead 2-1.

MISLAV ORSIC GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT CONTENDER 😱 pic.twitter.com/aIdjnjqUr7
— GOAL (@goal) December 17, 2022

Additional time: 2 minutes

45' That was a fantastic goal from Mislav Orsic. Makes you wonder why he wasn't used that frequently by Zlatko Dalic in the tournament.

42' GOOOAALLL!!! Orsic scores a stunning goal from the left side to beat Bono to his right side. It's a curling finish from the left edge of the box and what makes it more beautiful is that the angle wasn't as wide as one would like. Orsic's curler goes inside the box despite Bono getting his fingertips to it. 2-1 Croatia.

37' CLOSEE!!! En-Nesyri glances a header from Ziyech's corner-kick but it is a little too wide from a narrow angle. Coudl have tested Livakovic had it been guided better.

36' Morocco win back-to-back corners. Can they make something out of the second one?

20 - Scoring against Morocco today, Josko Gvardiol became the youngest Croatian ever to score in a FIFA World Cup match (20 years and 328 days). Future. #FIFAWorldCup #CROMAR pic.twitter.com/qWIPugz5Rr
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) December 17, 2022

33' CHANCE!! Khannouss sets up Boufal in the box to line up a shot at goal but it is well defended by Sutalo. Morocco strongly argue for a corner but the referee orders a goal-kick.

29' MISS!! Big chance for Morocco as Ziyech and Hakimi link up very well for the latter to provide a dangerous cross in the box. Unfortunately, the ball is just behind En-Nesyri who has the net empty in front of him.

27' Morocco have had only a single touch in the Croatian box so far and that came from Dari's goal. Croatia have been quite dominant since the equalizer.

🇲🇦 Achraf Dari starter his career with Wydad AC and moved to Brest in Ligue 1 in July.

He has now scored at every national level he has played:

⚽️ U20
⚽️ U23
⚽️ Morocco ‘A’
⚽️ Morocco NT

First African player to score in the 3rd place playoff at the #FIFAWorldCup ✅ pic.twitter.com/1xas9DSM0J
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) December 17, 2022

24' CHANCEEE!!! Modric does pretty well at the edge of the box before he shoots with his left foot. Bono is distracted as the balls comes to him between the legs of Yamiq and fumbles in collecting it. The Moroccan keeper is then quick to push it away before any Croatian player arrived to tap it in. Lucky escape for the Atlas Lions.

22' Morocco have continued today to be fearless with their approach. That being said, it has been easier for Croatia to pass between the lines against what has been quite difficult for other teams when they faced the Atlas Lions.

20' The game has been way more open than most people woudl have thought. Croatia have got quite a few chances on the counter but have struggled to capitalize.

11 - Only Lionel Messi (16) has been directly involved in more #FIFAWorldCup goals than Ivan Perisic across the last three tournaments (11 - six goals, five assists). Regularity. pic.twitter.com/dyyWIlsZNg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 17, 2022

18' CHANCE!! Croatia attack on the counter as Orsic finds space on the left to cross. He finds Kramaric in the box but the striker's header is straight at Bono. Kramaric should have tested the keeper better.

Ivan Perišić has now been directly involved in four of Croatia's seven goals at the 2022 World Cup:

◉ 3 assists
◎ 1 goal

He's the joint top assist maker at the tournament. #HRV #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2rAhHeA1db
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 17, 2022

17' Nothing comes from the corner as it is easily defended by Morocco.

16' Croatia now win their second corner of the game as Hakimi defends well on the right side.

Josko Gvardiol & Achraf Dari’s goals means that this is the first match at this World Cup in which 2 Centre Backs have scored.

Two great diving headers. 💥 pic.twitter.com/yqx9pKLdG7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 17, 2022

12' Gvardiol has already attracted quite a lot of suitors with his impressive performances in the tournament. His goal tonight surely makes it even more interesting for him and his club future.

⚠️ | QUICK STAT

Joško Gvardiol has just scored his first-ever #FIFAWorldCup goal in what is only his second shot (first on target) at the tournament.

An excellent way to cap off his already impressive #Qatar2022 campaign. 🇭🇷💎#CROMAR pic.twitter.com/7B3EMa4eQ6
— Sofascore (@SofascoreINT) December 17, 2022

10' What a start it has been to this game. Both teams capitalizing from their respective set-pieces. How did it end goalless the last time around?

9' GOOOOAAALL!! Morocco equalize straightaway from a free kick at the other end. Ziyech's free-kick is met by Modric's head but it is only headed towards the Croatian goal as Achraf Dari is present near the 6-yard area to head it from close range. 1-1

7' GOOOOAAALLLL!! Gvardiol scores from the free-kick.Croatia work really well with the set-piece as the kick finds Perisic in the box as the Tottenham forward heads it closer to the box. Gvardioal still has loads to do as he scores a loopy header to give Croatia the lead.

6' Croatia win a free-kick more than 30 yards out. Can they capitalize?

2' Bono makes a dangerous pass around his goal as the ball is just whiskers away from going inside. Nervous moments for the Moroccan fans. Corner for Croatia early in the game.

1' Here we go!! Croatia kick-off the penultimate game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Both teams are out for one last time in Qatar as we are just moments away from the kick-off now.

Today, Luka Modric equals the record held by goalkeepers Dino Zoff and Peter Shilton for the most games played at a single World Cup while aged 37+ (7). It is likely to be Real Madrid's last game in a FIFA World Cup but you never know in football.

Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi will be the first Moroccan players to reach ten #FIFAWorldCup appearances tonight. #MAR #HRV
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 17, 2022

If Croatia manage to win tonight, it will be their second FIFA World Cup third-place finish in their history. As for Morocco, a win tonight will make them the first African to ever achieve a third-place finish in the FIFA World Cup.

Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi will be the first Moroccan players to reach ten #FIFAWorldCup appearances tonight. #MAR #HRV
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 17, 2022

Substitutes available for Morocco: Monir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saïss, Badr Benoun, Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah, Yahya Jabrane, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Anass Zaroury, Ilias Chair, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Walid Cheddira.

Substitutes available for Croatia: Ivo Grbić, Ivica Ivušić, Borna Sosa, Borna Barišić, Martin Erlić, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Josip Juranović, Marcelo Brozović, Nikola Vlašić, Luka Sučić, Kristijan Jakić, Mario Pašalić, Bruno Petković and Ante Budimir.

Morocco (4-3-3): Bono, Achraf Hakimi, Achraf Dari, Jawad El Yamiq, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Bilal El Khannouss, Sofyan Amrabat, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Hakim Ziyech (C), Youssef En-Nesyri, Soufiane Boufal.

Croatia (4-2-3-1): Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric (C), Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Lovro Majer, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja.

The line-ups for both teams are out. Let's have a look at them.

Both teams have more or less enjoyed a defensive approach in the tournament so far. Given the stature of today's game, it is likely that at least one of them will hope for more of an attacking approach.

As for Croatia, they did not look at their best but were very difficult to breakthrough. They did not have the youngest of squads yet with their experience and strong character, they were able to reach the semi-finals against many odds. It will be interesting to see how they approach the game today.

Morocco had a fabulous run in the tournament, their best in any World Cup edition. They certainly impressed many with their resilience and desire to make the best out of their chances. It was a miraculous run until they faced France in the semi-finals but will be hoping to end it on a high with a win today.

What a player 🥹🇲🇦

Did you know? Azzedine Ounahi has completed 77% of his attempted take-ons at the 2022 World Cup (10/13), the highest rate of any player to attempt at least 10.#StatAttack pic.twitter.com/BdIsAordKz
— GOAL South Africa (@GOALcomSA) December 17, 2022

The Atlas Lions were humbled by defending champions France in the semi-finals with a 2-0 loss. On the other end, Croatia were defeated 3-0 by Messi-led Argentina to deny them a successive berth in the finals.

Croatia and Morocco are meeting for the second time in the tournament after having faced each other in the group stages of Group F. The game back then ended in a goalless draw but today we will be guaranteed a winner.

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's LIVE coverage between Croatia and Morocco in the penultimate game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Both teams face each other to grab the third-place finish in the tournament by winning this play-off.

Date & Time

17 December, Sat 08:30 PM IST

Tournament

FIFA World Cup

Stadium

Khalifa International Stadium

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