The chocolate medal for Morocco, and a second consecutive World Cup podium for Croatia. In this clash between the two disappointed in the semi-finals, it was Zlatko Dalic’s players who won, by the smallest of margins, once morest a Morocco too weak and shy to hope for better (2-1). Everything was finally decided in the first period, where Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic allowed their selection to leave Qatar with the bronze medal.
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Croatia – Morocco, the tantalizing remake for bronze
YESTERDAY AT 4:18 PM
Walid Regragui’s squad ended their World Cup on a bad note, which will not diminish the splendid course of the Atlas Lions, the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, in Qatar. At the end of their strength, deprived of three of their four holders (Aguerd, Saïss, Mazraoui) in defense on injury, the Moroccans might not resist Croatia.
First a story of free kicks
But they offered a much more pleasant match than the confrontation between the two nations during the group stage, which ended in a sad 0-0. The Vatreni opened hostilities quickly, with a superb combination on a free kick from Lovro Majer. With a well-placed diving header following a throw-in from Ivan Perisic, Gvardiol deceived Yacine Bounou (1-0, 7th). But in the process, once more from a free kick, Morocco equalized on an action almost 100% Ligue 1.
By deflecting a Moroccan free kick from the right of the head, Rennais Majer finally sent the ball to Brestois Achraf Dali in the Croatian six meters, who did not hesitate to beat Livakovic with a header (1-1, 42nd). More enterprising than their opponents, Luka Modric’s teammates got several clear chances (18th, 24th), before Orsic restored the advantage to his team.
With a splendid strike from the right, in a tight angle on the left side in the area, he beat Bounou just before the break (2-1, 42nd). A blow that has long left Moroccans unanswered. Croatia remained the most dangerous in the second half (47th, 51st), and Gvardiol should have even obtained a penalty in the 74th minute, just before a huge opportunity for Youssef En Nersyri, whose shot was saved by Livakovic.
The Sevilla FC player finally missed a last chance to equalize, following extra time, by placing his head above (90th + 6). And allowed an explosion of joy, relative, for Croatia at the final whistle.
Gvardiol and the joy of the Croats
Credit: Getty Images
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