The third-place play-off is a reminder that you did not make the final game. FIFA insist that it be played but most teams find it challenging to be motivated for this match.
Very few attackers have gotten the better of the masked Croatian defender Josko Gvardial but a man 15 years his senior did just that – he should not be embarrassed as that man was Lionel Messi. Morocco outplayed France and yet, must still contest this match. This is so because they could not score.
The lack of killer instinct is what has haunted Morocco; great play but no goals. Morocco and Croatia met in the first round and played to a goalless draw. This was the only meeting between both sides at a World Cup.
Many were surprised that Croatia so easily defeated Brazil but were such easy victims for Argentina. This was a major surprise as we expected a closer match. This side we also a surprise because they were not a favourite coming into the competition due to the age of the side. They certainly showed that age can just be a number.
Luka Modric, 37, was again the main star for Croatia and the fact that the 2018 runners-up made it this far was a huge shock. They are a determined and brilliant side with a great future given the talent that came out during this World Cup.
Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana were the more favoured African teams but lacked the closure at the back and this is where Morocco were superior.
The Atlas Lions were the supreme team from Africa and it showed all the way to the third-place playoff.
They can now create another piece of history as the first African team to place third.
Qatar 2022: Croatia vs Morocco for 3rd
Qatar 2022 Saturday December 17, 2022 at 11 am
By Gerald Lutchman
IT’S the game no one wants to play.
The third-place play-off is a reminder that you did not make the final game. FIFA insist that it be played but most teams find it challenging to be motivated for this match.
Very few attackers have gotten the better of the masked Croatian defender Josko Gvardial but a man 15 years his senior did just that – he should not be embarrassed as that man was Lionel Messi. Morocco outplayed France and yet, must still contest this match. This is so because they could not score.
The lack of killer instinct is what has haunted Morocco; great play but no goals. Morocco and Croatia met in the first round and played to a goalless draw. This was the only meeting between both sides at a World Cup.
Many were surprised that Croatia so easily defeated Brazil but were such easy victims for Argentina. This was a major surprise as we expected a closer match. This side we also a surprise because they were not a favourite coming into the competition due to the age of the side. They certainly showed that age can just be a number.
Luka Modric, 37, was again the main star for Croatia and the fact that the 2018 runners-up made it this far was a huge shock. They are a determined and brilliant side with a great future given the talent that came out during this World Cup.
Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana were the more favoured African teams but lacked the closure at the back and this is where Morocco were superior.
The Atlas Lions were the supreme team from Africa and it showed all the way to the third-place playoff.
They can now create another piece of history as the first African team to place third.