‘We're still happy, we're among the four best teams in the world.’ Croatia takes the bronze four years after a runner-up finish, but Morocco also leaves with heads aloft after becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semifinal. FIFAWorldCup
DOHA, Qatar – Croatia ended its World Cup campaign with the pride of claiming third place in a 2-1 win against Morocco, which marked the end of a journey but also promised a bright future, coach Zlatko Dalic said on Saturday, December 17 .
“It was a difficult, great match. I want to extend my congratulations to Morocco, they put up a great fight until the last minute, despite the fatigue.Croatia can now look forward to the future with confidence. Croatia qualified for the Nations League final four to be played in June with Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
A bronze medal may have served as nothing more than consolation after both sides endured disappointment in the semifinals, but Croatia and Morocco looked eager to make amends after losing to Argentina and France respectively. There were signs of nerves from Morocco early on with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou nearly scything a clearance into his own goal in just the third minute.
Two minutes later, Morocco responded at the other end with a set piece of their own when a cross came off Lovro Majer’s head and looped into the box where an unmarked Dari beat the keeper with a header. The second half did not start as fast or feisty as the first as exhaustion after a long tournament finally seemed to have caught up with both teams, playing their seventh game in Qatar.
Croatia also felt hard done by when Gvardiol looked to have been tripped in the box by Sofyan Amrabat – now playing in defense with their centre backs injured – but the referee refused to award a penalty.
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