CROATIA and Morocco battling it out in the dreaded World Cup third place play-off and what a start to the game it has been with Croatia ahead!
Josko Gvardiol headed Croatia into a lead just moments into the game but the Croatians were not celebrating for long.
Just minutes later Morocco were level as Achraf Dia netted a header of his own, but Mislav Orsic has put the Europeans in front again, curling a stunning strike in off the post.
- Kick-off: 3pm GMT
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- TV channel: BBC One
- Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic; Modric, Kovacic; Kramaric, Majer, Orsic; Livaja
- Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Dari, El Yamiq, Attiat-Pallah; El Khannouss, Amrabat, Sabiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
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Croatia 2-1 Morocco
47. Orsic nearly begins the second half just as he ended the first – by scoring a stunning goal.
The 29-year-old forward takes aim from 20 yards, and ends up rippling the side-netting with his angled drive.
It took a deflection too, and will be a corner.
Kick-off – Croatia 2-1 Morocco
46. There’s one change to report as Morocco restart matters in Qatar, and it’s a notable one for supporters of Queens Park Rangers.
Their miniature magician, Ilias Chair, is on for his first appearance at the World Cup, replacing Abdelhamid Sabiri.
First half facts and figures
Croatia have dominated the action at the Khalifa International Stadium, but Morocco have shown throughout this tournament that you write them off at your peril.
Half-time – Croatia 2-1 Morocco
Croatia 2-1 Morocco
45. The fourth official signals that two minutes of additional time will be played.
Long gone have the halcyon days of double figures on the electronic board.
Croatia 2-1 Morocco
44. Back in front, Croatia will be hoping this lead lasts slightly longer than their previous one did.
Croatia 2-1 Morocco
42. Croatia regain the lead just as Morocco found themselves on top.
It’s an absolute peach of a goal too, not in keeping with any of the play in the build-up.
Again, the Croatians failed to make the most of the opening with Josip Stanisic neglecting to shoot when presented with an opportunity.
But then Bilal El Khannous made a real hash of clearing his lines, and when he was dispossessed, the ball was laid left to Mislav Orsic.
What followed was genius as the Dinamo Zagreb man unleashed a curling right-footed effort that bent around Yassine Bono to clip into the net off the inside of the far post.
Back in front!
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
40. Ziyech is up for this, and is really enjoying himself out there.
The Moroccan tricks his way back inside Modric with a lovely piece of skill, and his eyes light up at the sight of goal.
Taking a shot on from 30 yards, the captain doesn’t quite get it right with a fizzed pull wide of the near post.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
39. Good tracking back from Boufal denies Modric the opportunity to loop a cross into the danger area.
Southampton fans must be wondering where this player was as opposed to the one they signed.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
37. A first Morocco corner of the game.
Captain Ziyech sends over an inswinger with his left foot, and the flick at the near post from En-Nesyri almost loops into the far corner.
The striker wears a rueful look on his face as he jogs back into position.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
35. Morocco win a free-kick midway inside the Croatia half, and Ziyech stands over the ball.
The delivery from the Chelsea man is excellent too, and requires a very good defensive header from Perisic to deny one of a number of attackers the chance to connect.
This is undoubtedly Walid Regragui’s side’s best spell of the game.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
33. Boufal and El Khannous work a one-two that takes the former into the penalty box.
Just as the former Southampton man is about to strike, Gvardiol gets across to block it behind.
Referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim awards a goalkick – the correct decision as it turns out – but the Morocco players are furious, quickly surrounding the official.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen six men so upset not to win a corner. In the first half. Of a third place play-off.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
31. Morocco’s tails are up now, and epitomised by the way Sabiri storms through Kovacic in the midfield as if he wasn’t there.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
29. But that should have been a second for the North Africans!
Beautiful link-up play between Ziyech and Hakimi down the right completely cuts open the Croatians, and allows the Paris Saint-Germain full-back to fly into the area unchallenged.
Hakimi has En-Nesyri in the middle, but overcooks his cross with too much power and swerve, leaving the striker looking back agonisingly at the ball disappearing out of play.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
28. Morocco’s only attempt on goal so far was the equaliser.
Otherwise, this game has been all Croatia.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
26. Not for the first time, Majer delivers and finds the head of Perisic.
On this occasion, however, Perisic’s header is poor and the offside flag is up.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
25. Croatia win another free-kick deep in Morocco’s half, and again Modric and Majer stand over it.
This one isn’t as central as the one they scored from, mind you. In fact it’s right out on this near touchline.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
23. Modric goes close to scoring!
The Croatia midfielder takes advantage of a weak clearance from Attiyat Allah to whip a low left-footer towards the far post from the edge of the box.
Bono needs two attempts to keep it out and clear, but eventually gets the job done.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
21. A glorious ball from Kovacic, who had dropped into the backline, looks perfect for Perisic on the left.
However, the bounce was too much for the Tottenham man, agonisingly rebounding up and over his head for a throw.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
19. The Morocco fans turn the noise up a level inside Khalifa International Stadium.
Their support at this World Cup has been every bit as impressive as their team.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
17. Morocco give the ball away in a dangerous area again!
This time it’s Boufal that’s easily knocked off the ball, but Croatia lack conviction in their attacking.
Wasting a four-on-two opportunity, Kramaric eventually tries his luck with a curler that’s comfortably grabbed by Bono.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
14. Orsic makes his way through a nothing challenge from Hakimi, and has a chance to work an opening.
Stanisic follows up in support, and ends up getting a strike away that spins behind for a corner.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
12. Wow! What a start that was!
I joked earlier that this would finish 6-6, and now I’m regretting not betting my blogger’s fee on such a result.
Croatia 1-1 Morocco
10. Back up the other end, and Orsic goes for goal with a right-footed curler from the edge of the box.
It’s well wide though. Perhaps he should have tried heading it.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
