Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 within the World Cup third place play-off on Sunday morning, with Mislav Orsic curling residence the gorgeous winner.
Josko Gvardiol, one of many stars of the match in Qatar, headed Croatia into the lead within the seventh minute on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium however Achraf Dari introduced Morocco stage immediately.
Orsic’s terrific curling strike late within the first half ensured Croatia took residence the bronze medal, the eleventh World Cup in a row a European crew has completed third.
“It’s a bronze medal however for us it’s like a gold medal,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic mentioned.
Walid Regragui, the Morocco coach, mentioned there was so much for his crew to proudly replicate on after they turned the primary African semi-finalists in World Cup historical past.
“It’s a bitter defeat however I feel it’s deserved,” mentioned Regragui.
“We now have a crew that by no means gave in. We’ll bear in mind a number of matches, we’re going to come back again stronger. We’ve united our nation for a month, all people was joyful.”
Morocco, who had by no means gone past the final 16 earlier than this World Cup, had signalled their intent with a spirited show towards 2018 runners-up Croatia of their opening recreation in Qatar.
The fairytale, nonetheless, is ending with a barely bitter aftertaste after Regragui was seen arguing with match officers after the ultimate whistle.
“A tragic method for Morocco to finish the match, as their supervisor and gamers encompass the referee – livid about one thing,” the BBC’s Andy Cryer mentioned.
“They’ve been distinctive on this match, as have Croatia. In all probability the precise outcome this night.”
In was Croatia who appeared to have extra motive to be offended with officers after Gvardiol gave the impression to be introduced down in a transparent foul contained in the penalty space.
Croatia had been livid when Gvardiol tumbled inside the realm when his foot gave the impression to be caught by Sofyan Amrabat, however there was no VAR overview.
The BBC’s Danny Murphy mentioned: “It was a foul, it was sufficient of a foul. It was a penalty 100 per cent.
“It was a transparent and apparent mistake and you may see why Gvardiol was so annoyed. Fortunately there haven’t been too many on this World Cup once we thought they’ve that flawed. That one was apparent. I don’t know what they assume they’ve seen to not give it.”
It might have proved a match-changing second had Youssef En-Nesyri discovered a well past Livakovic, who unfold himself fantastically to dam the striker from shut vary.
The rematch was nothing just like the cagey 0-0 draw within the group stage, with Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou dangerously near passing the ball into his personal web early on.
Croatia quickly surged in entrance from a well-rehearsed free-kick as Ivan Perisic nodded Lovro Majer’s clip into the field again in direction of a diving Gvardiol, who planted his header into the nook.
However Morocco hit again two minutes later when Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick looped up off the pinnacle of Majer, permitting Dari to move previous Dominik Livakovic.
Andrej Kramaric headed straight at Bounou, who then did properly to scoop the ball to security as Marko Livaja closed in after he spilled a drive from Luka Modric.
Orsic curled in brilliantly through the submit from the nook of the field to place Croatia again on prime earlier than half-time after 18-year-old Morocco debutant Bilal El Khannouss misplaced the ball deep in his half.
Orsic once more went shut moments after the restart, his goalbound effort brushing Jawad El Yamiq and fizzing narrowly previous the submit.
Mateo Kovacic put broad with the possibility to place the sport past doubt. Morocco had a late penalty attraction turned down and En-Nesyri headed simply over however the Atlas Lions couldn’t discover a method again after their historic run.
Initially revealed as Ugly finish to World Cup fairytale after penalty insanity between Morocco and Croatia
