Croatia defeat Morocco to claim World Cup third place

Croatia scored twice in the first half to defeat Morocco 2-1 in the third place game of Qatar 2022.

Goals from Joko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic ensured Croatia take a third position finish at the World Cup.

Gvardiol converted a diving header from Ivan Perisic’s cross on seven minutes to give Croatia the lead before Morocco equalised two minutes later through Ashram Dari, who planted a looping header past the goalkeeper to restore parity for Africa’s last nation standing.

Orsic settled the match three minutes before the interval, bending in a superbly hit shot beyond Yaccine Bounou to make it 2-1.

A feisty second period did not produce any goal despite Morocco’s best attempts as Croatia, runners-up at Russia 2018, held on to claim the bronze medal at the 2022 World Cup.

It is their second third place finish of the World Cup, adding to their 1998 effort. Morocco on the other hand take fourth position to confirm Africa’s highest-ever finish of the World Cup.