World Cup 2022

Third Place Play-Off: CRO vs MOR

Preview

Croatia will cross swords with Morocco in the Third place play-off of the World Cup 2022. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 17th December 2022 at the Khalifa International Stadium. The game will kick off at 08:30 PM and will be the second last match of the tournament, just one day before the final match between Argentina and France. This will be the decider for the third position in this tournament.

Zlatko Dalic’s side was thrashed 3-0 by the overpowering Argentine side in the Semi-Final, on the other side, the Atlas Lions fought with extreme grit and determination against the Les Bleus but lost the match by a margin of two goals to nil.

In this entire tournament, very few strikers have successfully passed against the Croatian masked man Josko Gvardiol. The RB Leipzig youngster was the one who almost allowed no one to get past him. His value skyrocketed with every match he played in this World Cup. Gvardiol was only dribbled past once in this tournament before the match against Argentina. But in the semis, this one little man, the one from Rosario dribbled past him three times. Surely he will not be happy with that, also possibly bringing his market value to half. It seemed as if one of the most in-demand defenders of Europe also had no answer to 35-year-old Messi’s supremacy. 

In spite of humiliating a man 15 years younger than him, La Pulga netted the opening goal for Argentina in the Semi-Final clash with Croatia. The penalty marked his fifth goal in this World Cup, equalled with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe who also has been the nightmare for teams he faced so far. Just after that, a solo run from Julian Alvarez brought La Albiceleste their second goal. 

Messi’s assist to Alvarez for the third goal, which he dribbled past the star defender Gvardiol was nothing other than the classical Messi masterclass which rolled back pastime memories. Argentina’s 3-0 scoreline at the end of the match made it clear that Croatia will not get to play their second successive final which was also destined against the same opponent, France.   

Modric’s side thrashed Argentina 3-0 in the semis of the 2018 World Cup and reached the final. This time too they climbed up to the semi-finals without winning a single knockout game in normal match timings. This isn’t the first time for the Croatian side to compete in the bronze medal match, earlier they defeated Netherlands 2-1 in the year 1998 third-place play-off during their maiden World Cup campaign. 

They are such a side who have always proved their dominance in the extra time and penalty shootout periods. The Vatreni will not be very pleased to hear that the third-place play-offs have never been gone till the spot kicks and the emotionally influenced Moroccan fanbase will no doubt bang their drums to the max for one last ride in this tournament. 

Morocco on the other side, competing against France, lacked the killer instinct in the final third of the match. Morocco, being the first-ever African nation to reach the Semi-Final, also had the chance to create a better folklore by becoming the first team from the continent to make their way to the grand finale stage. 

Walid Regragui’s side indeed gave the French team a scare in Wednesday’s semi-final game, but all of a sudden Theo Hernandez’s effort and Randal Kolo Muani’s tap-in, 44 seconds after stepping onto the ground ended the Atlas Lions’dreams of World Cup supremacy. 

The African side also faced a backlash as the early withdrawals of the injured trio of Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd never helped them in that match. Although it is sure that they will return to their homeland as national heroes despite their loss in the semi-finals. Now the question is, can they add the bronze medal around their neck to get a more decorated welcome when back home? 

Regragui’s boys had not conceded a goal from any opponent's side in Qatar before Hernandez breached their defence. They still have the chance to be the only nation alongside Spain to keep as many as five clean sheets at a single World Cup. 

Both the sides chashed in the Group F encounter just a few weeks ago which ended in a goalless draw. In that game, the Red and White checkered ones were limited to just 5 attempts against Regragui’s backline. They need that hard and fast effort one more time to ensure they return with a groundbreaking World Cup honour.

Another major setback for Croatia is the injury of their midfield maestro Marcelo Brozovic. He was withdrawn in the 50th minute due to discomfort in the game against Argentina. He is still in doubt about the final game against Morocco. 

Gvardiol needed injections to perform through the pain of the foot injury and Dalic has already said that he will not risk any of his player who is not 100% fit. Possibly Kristijan Jakic and Lovro Majer will be on standby for Brozovic in case a change is needed on the field. Croatian Centre back Josip Sutalo is another possible change for Gvadiol. In the left flank, Ivan Perisic will surely hold his position as he has the chance to become Croatia’s all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup. Perisic is currently sharing the stage with Davor Suker with six goals apiece. 

Regrarui’s potion miraculously recovered all of Mazraoui, Saiss and Aguerd for the semi-final clash, but the injured trio fell off just like a bunch of cards within the matchtime. Aguerd was called off just before the first whistle blew. Saiss on the other hand was also hauled off after 20 minutes of gameplay. Mazraoui came back at the half-time interval.

It will be hard for Regragui to risk his boys for the Saturday clash. So it is expected that a 4-3-3 format may be in order as Yahia Attiyat Allah and Selim Amallah will push their way back to the starting lineup. 

Match Details

Match: Third Place Play-Off: CRO vs MOR  

Date: 17th December 2022

Time: 08:30 PM  

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium

Key Players

CRO: Star mid-fielder Luka Modric will probably be on the pitch for the last time in this match. The 2018 World Cup golden ball winner hasn’t scored any goals still now in this tournament but has been the prime baller for his side in this tournament. 

MOR: Hakim Ziyech has impressed thoroughly in this year’s World Cup. He has scored goals and found potential chances with his amazing playing style which resulted in Morocco becoming the first African Nation to play in the World Cup semi-final. Ziyech now has another chance to leave his mark with a strong performance on the field against Croatia. 

Possible Starting XIs

CRO: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barisic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mario Pasalic, Lovro Majer, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja

MOR: Yassine Bounou, Noussair Mazraoui, Romain Saiss, Jawad El Yamiq, Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Youssef En Nesyri, Abderazak Hamdallah, Walid Cheddira

Match Prediction

A triplet of injured defenders is surely not very optimistic for a side, but Morocco’s back-line has good stand-by players who can put in impressive performances to be proud of. Also, it should not come out as a big problem as they will face Croatia, who are not the masters of attacking gameplay.

We believe the Atlas Lions will end their World Cup with a podium finish. The Regragui's side just needs to keep their defence intact from the Croatian attacks. 

CRO 1-2 MOR

Suggested Playing XI Real11 Fantasy Football