Croatia 2-1 Morocco: Mislav Orsic's first-half beauty is enough to seal third place at the World Cup for the Croats as the Atlas Lions fall to another defeat after their heroic giant-killings in Qatar
- Josko Gvardiol put Croatia in front in the seventh minute with a diving header
- Achraf Dari equalised for Morocco two minutes later in a frantic start in Qatar
- Mislav Orsic's brilliant curled effort put Croatia back in front before half time
- Croatia finish third in Qatar, matching their achievement from 1998 in France
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
A few minutes from the end, Morocco centre forward Youssef En-Nesyri jumped higher than his marker in the Croatia box and nodded a header towards goal.
It went inches too high. Morocco still trailed. Near the centre circle, a couple of Morocco players fell to their knees in despair before they resumed the desperate search for an equaliser.
When the final whistle went to confirm Croatia’s victory and a third place to go with their runners-up finish in Russia four years ago, a cohort of the Moroccan players rushed over to the Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim and surrounded him.
![Mislav Orsic curled home a brilliant effort to restore Croatia's lead late in the first half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/17/17/65686351-11546417-image-a-64_1671299221964.jpg)
Mislav Orsic curled home a brilliant effort to restore Croatia's lead late in the first half
![Orsic's goal proved to be the difference between the two teams in the third-place play-off](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/17/17/65684817-11546417-image-a-55_1671296456644.jpg)
Orsic's goal proved to be the difference between the two teams in the third-place play-off
![Croatia sealed third place in Qatar, just like they did back at the 1998 World Cup in France](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/17/17/65686353-11546417-image-a-65_1671299281606.jpg)
Croatia sealed third place in Qatar, just like they did back at the 1998 World Cup in France
PSG’s Achraf Hakimi seemed to be particularly enraged. He had to be dragged away by teammates as the referee sought protection.
It was an ugly, disturbing end to a match that is seen by many as a meaningless fixture but the passion that both teams brought to it and the joy Croatia showed in their 2-1 triumph, a match that was probably the great Luka Modric’s final appearance at a World Cup, gave the lie to the assertion it means nothing.
Morocco have been defying expectations throughout this tournament and they did it again here.
In many ways, they have been the team of this tournament, the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to last week’s last four defeat to France.
When there have been hints that the competition might turn vanilla, the ability of the team and the passion of their fans have rescued it.
Their feats united the Arab world around them on the occasion of the first Arab World Cup.
They could not quite muster one last triumph and despite Moroccan complaints about the referee, Croatia deserved their win in a stadium that was 90% full of fans supporting their opponents.
Modric, one of the great players of his generation, the only man to interrupt the hegemony of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d'Or awards between 2008 and 2022, was majestic again and even though these two teams had played out a goalless draw in the group stage but it soon became apparent this encounter was going to be very different.
Croatia nearly took the lead, in bizarre circumstances, inside three minutes. Morocco goalkeeper Bono collected a loose ball on the right hand side of the six yard box and shifted it on to his left foot to play it across goal.
But he sliced his attempted pass and the ball looked for a moment as though it would nestle in the bottom corner of the net. To Bono’s relief, it trickled just wide.
It was only a temporary reprieve, though. A few minutes later, a Croatia free kick was nodded across goal and was met by Josko Gvardiol.
Last seen being torn to pieces by Lionel Messi’s brilliant run in Tuesday’s semi-final with Argentina, Gvardiol has been one of the best players in the tournament and did not deserve to be remembered for a negative.
![Josko Gvardiol (pictured) headed Croatia in front inside seven minutes with a flying header](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/17/17/65686267-11546417-image-a-60_1671298658032.jpg)
Josko Gvardiol (pictured) headed Croatia in front inside seven minutes with a flying header
This was a better memory: his firm header kissed the right hand post as it arrowed into the net.
Two minutes later, Morocco were level. The goal came from another free kick. It looped up into the air off the head of a defender and fell in a high, lazy arc towards the edge of the six yard box.
The Croatia defence stood and watched, goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic stayed on his line and Achraf Dari simply waited for the ball to fall and nodded it home.
![Centre-back Achraf Dari brought Morocco level just two minutes after Gvardiol's opener](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/17/17/65686271-11546417-image-a-61_1671298705612.jpg)
Centre-back Achraf Dari brought Morocco level just two minutes after Gvardiol's opener
There are times when these games are tepid affairs but this match felt wild and unpredictable and Croatia nearly regained the lead midway through the half when Modric made space for a shot on the edge of the box and drilled it towards goal.
Bono spooned it out with his palms and as Marko Livaja moved to prod the rebound over the line, Bono slapped it away from him.
Three minutes before half time, though, Croatia did go ahead. Morocco lost the ball on the edge of their own area and when the ball was worked out to Mislav Orsic on the left of the Morocco box, he opened up his body and curled his shot over Bono and towards the far corner of the net.
Bono got a despairing right hand on it, which was enough to deflect it on to the post, but when it landed, it was over the line.
![Dominik Livakovic made an important save to deny Youssef En-Nesyri in the second half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/17/17/65686291-11546417-image-a-62_1671298755517.jpg)
Dominik Livakovic made an important save to deny Youssef En-Nesyri in the second half
After a hiatus that lasted for most of the second half, the game exploded into action and recrimination 20 minutes from the end. First, Gvardiol went on a marauding run for Croatia and appeared to be tripped in the box by Amrabat.
The referee played on even though the entire Croatia bench had come rushing to the touchline to protest about the incident.
The ball went straight to the other end and En-Nesyri found himself one on one with Livakovic. En-Nesyri got his shot away but the Croatia goalkeeper blocked it superbly.
![En-Nesyri came so close to forcing extra-time, but his late header went narrowly over the bar](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/17/17/65686299-11546417-image-a-63_1671298802618.jpg)
En-Nesyri came so close to forcing extra-time, but his late header went narrowly over the bar
The danger had barely passed when Hakimi went down in the Croatia box. He was so outraged when the referee did not point to the spot that he fell flat on his back. VAR looked at the incident and decided there was no foul.
The match turned ugly six minutes from the end when Selim Amallah was penalised for a foul and a group of Morocco players surrounded referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim, jostling him and harassing him and gesticulating at him. Amallah was booked and the tension was defused but it was not a good look.
En-Nesyri put his late header over the bar and Moroccan disappointment boiled over into resentment and rage after the whistle. It was a cruel end to a tournament where they achieved so much.
Follow Sportsmail's live blog for the World Cup third-place play-off clash between Croatia and Morocco.
It's over and Croatia have beaten Morocco to finish third in Qatar!
Morocco have kept pushing down their left flank, and the ball is teased into the box.
En-Nesyri gets up highest but his header goes onto the roof of the net.
Orsic has been excellent today. He is replaced by Jakic.
Morocco are going to keep going until the final whistle and they get in down the left. The ball is fired across the box but Livakovic hangs on. Time is running out now.
Poor from En-Nesyri as he goes too early and is caught offside.
Just four minutes left now.
The ball comes into the box and Morocco want a penalty but the ball hit Petkovic's back, not his arm.
The ball comes out to Ziyech who fires well over.
We will have six minutes of added time.
This would have wrapped the game up.
Once again, Orsic works space for himself and plays the ball onto Kovacic. He gets it past an onrushing defender and is one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he drags his shot wide of the target.
This looked very harsh.
Amallah goes up to win a header and looks to win the ball but Petkovic goes down. He is very unhappy with that decision and goes into the book after complaining to the referee.
There is a minor scuffle amongst the players, but it is quickly calmed down.
10 minutes to go and Morocco are pushing forward but cannot get their final ball right at the moment. Is there one final twist in this match?
This game has come to life again!
En-Nesyri gets in behind and gets a shot off but Livakovic gets out quickly and saves brilliantly. Hakimi then goes down in the box but his penalty appeal is waved away.
Replays have just shown Gvardiol was caught by Amrabat. That should have been a penalty - Morocco got away with one there.
Gvardiol wins the ball back then continues his run forward.
He gets in behind and looks to be brought down by Amrabat but the referee waves play on. Will VAR take another look at that?
Morocco aren't winning this game but you wouldn't know it from the noise of the crowd.
The Morocco fans are urging their team forward and have been outstanding throughout the tournament.
A rare mistake from Amrabat allows Vlasic to pick the ball up and drive forward.
He is invited to shoot and duly obliges, but his shot is always rising and goes well over.
Ounahi is adamant he won the ball fairly from Modric but the referee disagrees.
Ounahi complains about the decision and is booked for his protests.
Another one bites the dust.
El Yamiq is now injured and he has to be helped from the field. Morocco don't seem to have any centre-backs left. Amallah comes on to replace him.
Majer and Livaja make way, with Pasalic and Petkovic coming on.
These players are shattered!
Dari goes down this time, and he will have to hobble off. Boufal also comes off, with Benoun and Zaroury coming on.
Vlasic replaces the injured Kramaric as Croatia make their first change.
Kramaric knows his race is run and he leaves the pitch in tears. A sad way for his World Cup to end.
Kramaric goes down twice in a matter of seconds and he will need treatment. His afternoon may be over.
He's been one of their players of the tournament, and Ounahi is introduced to the action, replacing El Khannouss.
Kovacic plays a lovely ball in behind for Kramaric. He has to either shoot or cut the ball back to a team-mate but does neither, and loses possession. A waste.
Croatia are well on top here, and Majer gets in behind. He decides to cross rather than shoot and Morocco just about clear their lines but they are living on the edge now.
Croatia work the ball well down their left and Majer fizzes a cross into the box.
Livaja nearly gets there but the ball comes off a Morocco defender and goes wide. It should be a corner, but the referee awards a goal-kick.
Morocco have given Orsic far too much space in this game, and a route to goal opens up for the winger again.
He lets fly from the edge of the area, but his shot is deflected into the side-netting.
Dari is able to continue after his injury scare just before half time, but Morocco have made another change with Chair coming on for Sabiri.
The players are back on the pitch and the second half will get underway shortly.
Right on the half time whistle, Morocco's goalscorer Dari went down injured and he will need to be assessed during the break to see if he can continue.
The whistle blows and Croatia enter the break with their noses in front.
We will have 2 minutes added time to end this excellent first half.
What a goal this is!
Croatia work the ball up to the edge of the box, but dally on the ball and the chance appears to have gone.
Croatia win the ball back quickly, though, and the ball is played out to Orsic on the left-hand side of the box. He curls a beauty in off the far post and past Bono. 2-1 Croatia.
Good footwork gives Ziyech a bit of space around 30 yards from goal.
He tries his luck but it never looked like seriously troubling Livakovic.
Croatia get in down the left a couple of times in a matter of seconds, but both crosses are cleared away well, and Morocco end up winning themselves a goal-kick.
Excellent corner from Ziyech that is just waiting to be flicked on.
En-Nesyri gets his head on it but doesn't quite make enough contact and the ball flies across the face of goal and behind for a goal-kick.
This is better from Morocco and they are starting to get on top for the first time.
They have stepped up the pace a little and are beginning to trouble Croatia.
More good play from Morocco, this time down the left flank as Boufal plays a smart one-two and looks to get a shoot off.
Sutalo comes across and does well, forcing Boufal to fire well over.
Hakimi and Ziyech link up so well down the right and the full-back finds himself in space.
He lifts his head to pick out a cross, but his final ball is just behind En-Nesyri. That was the best move of the match from Morocco.
Morocco are causing most of their own problems by giving the ball away in dangerous areas.
They do the same again here, but Attiat-Allah does well to get back and clear the ball away.
Brilliant from Modric as he creates a bit of space for himself with some fancy footwork on the edge of the box.
His shot from the edge of the box stings the palms of Bono, who quickly gets back to his feet to turn the ball away from danger. A nervy moment for the keeper but he got away with it.
Croatia just doing what they do best by slowing the game down and playing at their own pace.
Not much in this right now as Croatia look to patiently find an opening.
Croatia win the ball in the middle of the pitch and burst forward.
Kramaric accidentally blocks Orsic's shot, but Croatia recycle possession and get the ball back into the box. Kramaric gets his head on it, but can only put his effort straight at Bono.
Croatia are having some joy down their left with Perisic and Orsic, but Hakimi comes across in the nick of time to cut out any danger.
Croatia remain on top after a frantic start to this game.
Croatia look a little more dangerous at the moment, but have just not quite found the right final ball in the last couple of minutes.
Stanisic runs onto a ball near the edge of the box, but is under a lot of pressure and shoots well over.
This is great fun so far!
Croatia come back up the pitch looking to retake the lead and Orsic cuts inside. His shot flies a few yards wide, though.
Well that didn't take long!
Morocco are level and it comes from another free-kick. The ball comes into the box, Modric inadvertently flicks the ball on and Dari has the simplest of tasks of heading home from inside the six-yard box.
Game on!
It's a brilliantly worked free-kick to give Croatia the lead.
A Croatia free-kick is clipped over the top, Perisic knocks the ball back into the danger area and Gvardiol heads the ball into the corner.
1-0 Croatia.
Morocco looked a little all over the place at the back in the opening couple of minutes, but appear to have settled down a little.
They are now starting to get their foot on the ball, but yet to create a chance.
What is Bono doing!?
The goalkeeper tries to play the ball across his own six yard box and ends up nearly putting it into his own net. That would have been a disastrous start for Morocco.
Croatia get us underway and we are up and running...
The anthems have been belted out by both sets of players and fans, and we are almost ready for kick-off here.
The players emerge from the tunnel and we will be underway shortly after the national anthems...
Croatia: Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Majer, Kramaric, Orsic, Livaja
Morocco: Bono, Hakimi, Dari, El Yamiq, Attiat-Allah, El Khanouss, Amrabat, Sabiri, Ziyech, Boufal, En-Nesyri
Kick-off is less than 15 minutes away...
Ivan Perisic and Achraf Hakimi won Serie A together with Inter Milan in 2020-21.
They have since gone their separate ways, but found time to catch up with one another ahead of kick-off.
The tournament appears to have taken its toll on Morocco, who have been forced into a number of changes today.
They are without three of their first-choice back four, and Ounahi will be a big miss in midfield.
Will they still have enough to pull off one final shock?
Luka Modric will start today in what is almost certain to be his final World Cup match.
He has been an unbelievable servant to Croatian football, and will be desperate to go out with a win this afternoon.
Walid Regragui has named a much-changed line-up, with Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui and Ounahi all missing out on the starting line-up.
Zlatko Dalic has decided to ring the changes for today's game.
Lovren, Juranovic, Sosa, Brozovic and Pasalic drop to the bench, with Stanisic, Majer, Livaja, Orsic and Sutalo coming into the starting line-up.
As we wait for today's team news to come through, it seems an appropriate time to remind you that the final is only just over 24 hours away.
Argentina will meet France tomorrow, with both sides looking to win the World Cup for the third time.
It should be a cracker, with kick-off at 3pm (UK time) at the Lusail Stadium.
We should receive today's starting line-ups within the next half hour, with kick-off now just over 90 minutes away.
Some of the Morocco players are already out on the pitch assessing conditions as the countdown to kick-off begins.
It has been a real team effort from Morocco at the World Cup, but a couple of players have still managed to stand out.
Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi have been exceptional in the midfield, and Ray Parlour wants his former club Arsenal to sign both players in January.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has been reluctant to alter his starting XI too much during the tournament, relying heavily on the midfield trio of Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic, although Brozovic did go off injured on Tuesday night.
Croatia have had an extra day to prepare than Morocco, and it appears likely that Dalic will pick a similar team to the one that has done well for him so far.
It has been a gruelling tournament for Morocco, with the team picking up plenty of injuries along the way.
Nayef Aguerd withdrew from the starting line-up shortly before kick-off on Wednesday, while captain Romain Saiss had to be replaced during the first half.
Manager Walid Regragui has revealed he will have to carefully assess his squad before deciding on what team to put out today.
Croatia and Morocco have met twice before, including in the group stage of this tournament!
Their first encounter came in 1996 in the Hassan II Trophy. Croatia came out on top 7-6 on penalties after the two teams had played out a 2-2 draw.
Then, in their opening group game in Qatar, the two sides were involved in a drab goalless draw.
Morocco were also less than impressed with the refereeing display in their defeat against France.
The team felt they were denied two 'obvious penalties' and launched an official complaint against referee Cesar Ramos to FIFA after the match.
Luka Modric was furious after Croatia's semi-final defeat against Argentina, claiming that the South American side should not have been awarded a first half penalty.
He described referee Daniele Orsato as 'a disaster' after the game.
Will he take his anger out on Morocco today and lead his side to third place?
Today's game is on BBC One, and can also be streamed on the BBC iPlayer.
Kick-off is at 3pm (UK time), with the game taking place at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Croatia went all the way to the final in 2018, breaking English hearts along the way.
Not many expected them to get as far this time, but having sneaked through their group by the skin of their teeth they then knocked out Japan and Brazil on penalties.
Their semi-final against Argentina was a step too far as they were comfortably beaten, but it has still been an excellent tournament for the European side, and they will want to finish with a win for Luka Modric, who looks set to bid farewell to international football after this tournament.
What a journey it has been for Morocco.
Very few people expected them to even make it out of the group, but after seeing off Belgium, they then beat Spain and Portugal to become the first African nation to make the semi-finals.
Their run was brought to an end by France in the semi-finals, and they will now be looking to finish on a high by taking third place.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the third-place play-off between Croatia and Morocco.
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