Fifa World Cup, 3rd place play-off CRO vs MAR: Croatia win, take third spot

Fifa World Cup, Croatia vs Morocco, third place play-off highlights: Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orisic scored as Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar

8:21 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: Morocco’s road to the third place play-off

 

Morocco have had a great tournament so far as they first drew 0-0 to the last World Cup runners-up Croatia. However, the biggest upset that they caused was against Belgium as they beat the World Number two side 2-0 to almost secure a place for them in the Round of 16. However, to make sure that they did qualify actually by beating Canada 2-1. 

 

In the Round of 16, there came another shocker as they held Spain to a 0-0 draw and then beat them in penalties. In the quarterfinal, they were up against yet another big star Portugal. Over there, courtesy of En Nassery’s goal beat Portugal and created history by becoming the first African team to make it to the semis of the football World Cup. 

 

In the semi-final too, they were brilliant. However, the goal against France did not come and they lost the match eventually 0-2 to play in the third place play-off. 

 

8:10 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: Croatia’s road to the third place play-off

 

The Croatian team did not start its campaign well as they drew their first game against Morocco in Group F. However, they bounced back well and scored four goals against Canada to get their chances of the Round of 16 qualifications up. In their last group-stage game, Croatia needed to at least draw against Belgium to move to the next round and they held on to a 0-0 draw to qualify as the second-best team after Morocco from their group. 

 

In the Round of 16, they beat Japan on penalties after coming from 0-1 behind in the first half. and then again in the quarterfinal, they came from 0-1 behind in the extra time first half and beat Brazil in the quarterfinal. 

 

In the semifinal, they were beaten 0-3 by Argentina and now they face Croatia. 

 

7:49 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: The players that will start for Morocco tonight

7:38 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: The 11 Croats on the pitch to start

7:38 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: Morocco Starting 11

 

Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Achraf Dari, Jawad El Yamiq, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Bilal El Khannous, Sofyan Amrabat, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal

 

7:37 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: Croatia Starting 11

 

Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Lovro Majer, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja

 

7:37 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: Croatia would look to head home strong

 

The Vatreni on the other hand would look to make the most of the opportunity at hand against a relatively weaker opposition than they have recently faced and try and go home with a win in their bag. 

 

7:36 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: What happened in their previous meeting?

 

In the previous meeting between these two sides, Morocco also held Croatia to a 0-0 draw. This time around the likes of Hakimi, Boufal, En Nassiri and Ziyech would look to keep the attack up and make pressure on the Croatian defence and midfield. 

 

7:36 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: Will Morocco put on its best again?

 

Defensively too, Morocco have been a better side as they have conceded only in a game against Canada and then against France in the semifinal in regulation time. Rest in all the matches, no team has been able to score against them. 

 

7:35 PM

Croatia vs Morocco Live Score, third-place play-off: Battle between two strong defences

 

The third-place play-off between Croatia and Morocco will be one between two very defensive teams which like to play on the counterattack. While Morocco have still been able to attack continuously against the likes of Spain and Portugal and even against France, Croatia have found it hard to score against quality opposition. 

 

7:28 PM

Welcome to the live coverage of the third-place play-off clash between Croatia and Morocco

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the third-place play-off clash between Croatia and Morocco. The match takes place at Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. Stay tuned to Business Standard for all the critical updates from the game.