Croatia have earned a spot on the podium at a World Cup for the second consecutive time after defeating Morocco 2-1. Croatia finished as the runner-up in 2018. It was a rematch of the teams' first group stage match, which ended in a scoreless draw.
The Croatians had control of the game early on and were able to generate more danger. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine "Bono" Bounou almost scored an own goal after a poorly executed pass that just missed his goalpost.
😅 What a scare #MAR got!#GolMundial pic.twitter.com/wf4DeMQxXXJ
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 17, 2022
Croatia's persistence paid off in the 6th minute, when Josko Gvardiol (1-0) hit a perfect header into the back of the net off a set play on a free kick. The young Croatian defender was one of his team's great performers in this World Cup.
⚽️🔝 Gvardiol's World Cup deserved a goal #GolMundial pic.twitter.com/Is4nuwEDc3
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 17, 2022
The "Atlas Lions" kept their heads up, and it didn't take them but two minutes to tie the match. Achraf Dari (1-1) scored with his own header from a free kick. This resilience shows why underdog Morocco made it all the way to the third-place match.
🔥 What a start to the match!
⚽️ Dari equalizes #HRV's opening goal #GolMundial pic.twitter.com/PAZa4wLVmd
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 17, 2022
The atmosphere intensified as the game went on. Every time one of the teams approached the opponent's box, it caused agony for the fans. Mislav Oršić (2-1) was able put Croatia ahead with a beautifully crafted goal that Bono could not stop.
Orsic's corner kick could be worth a third place!
💥 Leads #HRV in the first half#GolMundial pic.twitter.com/Q62zK7cdPI
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 17, 2022
Early in the second half, Oršić came close to extending the lead, but his shot went wide after deflecting off the back of a Moroccan defender.
While there were no more goals in the game, it was not for lack of chances. In the 74th minute, the Croatian team pleaded for a penalty for Joško Gvardiol, but the referee did not see it the same way.
Youssef En-Nesyri had the clearest chance for Morocco, but Dominik Livaković, arguably the best goalkeeper of the tournament, made a great save.
🧤 Livakovic is in the World Cup limelight until the final day
⭐️ Here's how he saved #HRV from #MAR's equalizer!#GolMundial pic.twitter.com/1vQg7p4JkK
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 17, 2022
In the last minute, En-Nesyri again had the chance to send the game into extra time, but his shot went just wide of the goal.
With the victory, Croatia finish top three at a World Cup for the second consecutive time and established themselves as one of the world's great soccer powers.
Despite the loss, Morocco's tournament was far from a letdown. In one of this year's great stories, they managed to become the first African team to finish in the top four of a World Cup and earned the respect of the soccer world.
