Croatian have won their second FIFA World Cup third place playoff match by beating Africa’s first tournament semi-finalist Morocco 2-1 at the khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday evening.
The Croatians who aimed to outshine their last world cup campaign where they got to the final in 2018 and lost 4-2 to France, got knocked out by tournament’s favorite Argentina 3-0 in the semi-finals.
The Vatreni of Croatia which is led by Ballon d’or winner Luka Modric got off to a flying start after 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol headed home from Ivan Perisic’s cross in the sixth minute.
Achraf Dari who was making his debut at the FIFA World Cup restored parity for the history makers Morocco after connecting with a deflected cross from Hakim Ziyech two minutes later.
Mislav Orsic then put Croatia into a 2-1 lead in the 42nd minute to give the Europeans a slender advantage going into the break.
Morocco tried to get into the game in the second half but lost the battle against Gvardiol and Croatia’s defense as the country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe held on to get their second third place victory after claiming their first FIFA World Cup medal in France 1998.
Croatia have now finished in the top three in 50% of their World Cup tournaments since becoming an independent nation.
