More stories

  • in

    ‘You don’t know me’ – Cristiano Ronaldo uploads cryptic Instagram post as axed Man Utd superstar hits the gym topless

    CRISTIANO RONALDO sent the football world a message as the unattached superstar kept up his fitness in the gym.The Portuguese superstar, 37, is currently a free agent after his contract was mutually terminated at Manchester United last month.
    Cristiano Ronaldo posted a shirtless video of himself on his InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/?hl=en
    The Portugal forward is a free agent after leaving Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    That followed an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which Ronaldo slammed United and new manager Erik ten Hag for lacking respect.
    Things got no better for Ronaldo at the World Cup as he was dropped for Portugal’s last two games after an alleged row with boss Fernando Santos.
    And fans have been speculating the five-time Ballon d’Or winner may now be ready to hang up his boots.
    Now Ronaldo appears to have sent a cryptic message to his doubters on his Instagram story.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    The Real Madrid legend, who has 517 million followers, filmed around his gym while shirtless, and focussed on a TV screen playing a Portuguese song.
    The lyrics translate to “You don’t know about me. Don’t cry more for me”.

    Ronaldo suffered disappointment at the World Cup as Portugal were knocked out in the quarter-final stage by Morocco.
    To make matters worse for Ronaldo, it was clear that a passing of the torch was taking place when he was dropped to the bench for their last two games.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
    Ronaldo was dropped for the round of 16 clash against Switzerland, where his replacement Goncalo Ramos starred by netting a hat-trick.
    He was again left out of the starting line-up against Morocco and was unable to make the difference when he came on as a substitute as his World Cup dream came to an end.
    Ronaldo will now be focused on finding a new club to continue his footballing career.
    He was believed to have been approached to make a mega-money deal move to Saudi Arabia, but he is yet to accept the deal.
    The club in question is Al Nassr and the president has played down reports that conversations have been had with the player.
    He had been training with former club Real Madrid, but it seems highly unlikely that the La Liga giants are going to hand him a contract. More

  • in

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Cristiano Ronaldo RETIRES, says ex-Man Utd team-mate Patrice Evra, as star searches for club

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has been tipped to RETIRE from football by old Manchester United pal Patrice Evra.That’s after seeing his “dream” of winning the World Cup with Portugal come to a cruel end.
    Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to retire after Portugal’s World Cup exitCredit: Getty
    Former Man Utd team-mate Evra believes Ronaldo’s ‘dream’ is overCredit: Getty
    Ronaldo, 37, went into Qatar 2022 with high hopes after having his United contract terminated.
    The veteran striker was eager to lead Portugal to glory in a bid to secure a new deal with a Champions League club.
    But Ronaldo’s vision faded after being axed by Fernando Santos for Portugal’s final two games.
    And he left the pitch in tears after being shown the exit in the quarter-finals by Morocco.
    READ MORE ON RONALDO
    Ronaldo, who trained at old side Real Madrid earlier this week, is yet to receive any lucrative offers to remain in Europe.
    Indeed, the only concrete contract he’s received is from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
    Linked clubs including Chelsea and Bayern Munich continue to distance themselves from Ronaldo.
    And even his international future remains unclear after long-time supporter Santos was sacked by Portugal’s FA.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS FOR DECEMBER 2022
    Former United team-mate Evra now reckons Ronaldo could opt for retirement.
    The Frenchman claims Ronnie has little left to play for after his World Cup dream went down in flames.
    And with no top offers on the table, it would “not surprise” Evra if Ronaldo decided to call it a day.
    Evra told Sky Sports: “When I have talked to him I haven’t spoken about what he is going to do next.
    “We have been talking more about life and family, but I don’t know. Messi is saying he will retire [from the World Cup] but I don’t know if Ronaldo will.
    “Sometimes, when you are getting so much criticism, especially at the end of your career, you are like ‘OK, I think it’s time to stop’.
    “That must be a feeling, especially when you are not in the starting XI of your national team, because that is what Cristiano wanted: to play, be fit and win the World Cup with his country.
    “This was his dream; now he doesn’t have that dream. Although I won’t talk for Cristiano, I wouldn’t be surprised if he says he is retiring.
    “Now everything Cristiano does he is a ‘bad person’, a ‘bad player’ or whatever. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to retire.” More

  • in

    Croatia 2 Morocco 1: Orsic screamer seals 3rd place for Croats in entertaining World Cup play-off

    WHATEVER happens, at least one little genius of a No 10 has signed off from the World Cup on a high.Luka Modric will watch Lionel Messi try to write the final chapter to his fairytale in today’s final and wonder what might have been.
    Josko Gvardiol broke the deadlock with a diving headerCredit: Getty
    Achraf Dari equalised for Morocco less than two minutes laterCredit: Getty
    Mislav Orsic’s stunner won the game for Croatia just before half-tineCredit: Reuters
    But Croatia’s captain and greatest ever player ended his career on the biggest stage of all as a winner.
    And the two goals that earned him that pleasure were things of beauty.
    Centre back Josko Gvardiol put being tormented by Messi behind him by heading home after a glorious free-kick routine.
    Morocco equalised immediately in a crazy two minutes that set the tone for one of the most entertaining games of the tournament.
    read more on the world cup
    But Mislav Orsic’s beautiful strike just before the break ultimately proved enough to ensure Croatia would match the third place they secured in 1998.
    The chants of “Dima Maghreb” – “Morocco forever” – rang around the stadium in what felt like a home game and Walid Regragui’s side played their part in an end-to-end encounter.
    Youssef En-Nesyri headed a stoppage-time chance just over the bar but the North Africans could not extend their run for another 30 minutes.
    Passions were running high and some of Regragui’s players confronted Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim at the end.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
    Modric, though, was all smiles after his team gave him the perfect send-off.
    Both teams made changes from the semi finals – Croatia five to Morocco’s three – but there were early signs of nervousness in the North African ranks.
    Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was moving in mysterious ways within three minutes when he mishit a pass across his six-yard box that just about cleared the far post and went behind for a corner.
    And it was no surprise that they went behind to the second-best free kick routine of the tournament.
    Nothing will top Holland’s late, late equaliser against Argentina for sheer audacity.
    But this was gorgeous. Modric feinted to take, but it was Lovro Majer, the man tipped to take over his mantle, who clipped in a cross. Ivan Perisic had peeled off to head the ball back across the goal and there was Gvardiol, with a perfectly timed run, to power a precision header past Bounou.
    The Croats were still celebrating when Morocco equalised with a less textbook set-piece.
    Their own new midfield talent, Genk teenager Bilal El Khannouss, was fouled and Ziyech stood over the ball.
    His cross didn’t look great until it looped off Majer’s head and centre back Achraf Dari stole in to head past Dominik Livakovic.
    For the rest of the first half there were half-chances for both sides.
    Morocco continued to look uncertain at the back and Bounou parried a Modric shot before recovering to beat the palm the ball away to relative safety. 
    At the other end, Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi combined beautifully only for the Paris Saint-Germain right back to smash his cross behind Youssef En-Nesyri.
    Modric was popping up all over the place, but opposing captain Ziyech caught the eye even more. He was tackling back, hitting crossfield passes, taking set-pieces, running at players – the lot. 
    Not for the first time in the last month, you wondered why Chelsea didn’t sign him instead of the bloke with the same name who has flopped at Stamford Bridge.
    But just when it seemed an absorbing half would end level, El Khannouss lost the ball outside his own penalty area.
    Croatia celebrating their victory which secured third placeCredit: Getty
    This might have been Luka Modric’s final ever World Cup gameCredit: AFP
    The captain collecting his medalCredit: Getty
    The entire Croatia squad with their medalsCredit: AFP
    Marko Livaja touched it to Orsic and he hit a delicious curling shot that went in off the far post.
    The second half was not quite as enjoyable, but still an absorbing contest.
    Croatia initially looked the more dangerous, but Majer and Andrej Kramaric both failed to take advantage of decent openings.
    Former Leicester striker Kramaric left the field in tears after being forced off by injury on the hour mark, knowing that at 31 years old he would probably not kick another ball at a World Cup.
    That’s the agony that comes with the ecstasy of an event that happens only every four years.
    Thank heavens Arsene Wenger has ditched at least one of Fifa’s stupid expansion plans, the tournament being held twice as often.
    You hope, though, that Modric will give the world one more major tournament when the Euros are held in Germany in 18 months’ time.
    There was nothing in his performance or Croatia’s to suggest they can’t be a force there, especially if they can unearth a top striker.
    That said, En-Nesyri could could have snatched an equaliser even before his late chance.
    While Croatia were still screaming for a penalty for Sofyan Amrabat’s challenge on Gvardiol, the ball dropped for En-Nesyri but Livakovic was quick to smother his shot.
    Sadly, inexperienced Al Jassim did lose a bit of control in the dying minutes.
    A questionable booking led to Moroccan players, not for the first or last time, jostling the official, while a separate scuffle broke out between the two teams.
    That is not how the history-making North Africans want to be, or will be, remembered.
    Read More on The Sun
    Mateo Kovacic had a late chance to kill the game, then En-Nesyri missed his opportunity to wreck Modri’s night.
    But those two lovely goals were enough to make sure the maestro’s last memory of the World Cup would be a happy one. More

  • in

    Arsenal star Ben White speaks out after England World Cup exit as he thanks fans for support

    ARSENAL star Ben White has thanked fans for their support after his England World Cup exit.The Gunners defender, 25, was part of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for their adventure in Qatar.
    Ben White has sent a message to Arsenal fans after his England World Cup exitCredit: Twitter / @Arsenal
    But the centre-back left England’s World Cup squad prior to their last-16 win over Senegal due to “personal reasons.”
    And stunning reports claimed White went home after being involved in a training ground bust-up with assistant boss Steve Holland.
    White has since linked back up with his Arsenal pals, even featuring in this week’s friendly win over AC Milan in Dubai.
    And he has now posted a video addressing Gunners fans after they named him Arsenal Player of the Month for November.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    White beamed: “Hiya guys, I just wanted to give you a quick message and say thank you so much for voting me for Player of the Month.
    “I really appreciate it and I’m so thankful for the support you’ve shown me this season and every game.
    “I hope everyone has a really good Christmas and spends time with their family and has a good time. Cheers.”
    White’s message comes after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta leaped to the defender’s defence over the possible nature of his England exit.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
    Arteta said “Very pleased [to have him back]. Everybody has been giving him a lot of support and love.
    “We know the reasons he had to leave the camp. We are delighted to have him back and he looked in really good shape.
    “I’ve been having conversations with all the players at the World Cup. Not only with Ben but with all the players to try to give support when somebody needs it.”
    Asked about suggestions that White’s character played a role in him having to leave the England camp, Arteta added: “We can’t control that. 
    “I know who Ben is, what he needs, what his character is and how happy we all are to have him at the club.” More

  • in

    BBC pundits pick their teams of the World Cup but fans all have the same problem with Jurgen Klinsmann’s

    JURGEN KLINSMANN has been hammered by fans after naming his best team from the World Cup in Qatar.The German named his team before the third place play-off match between Croatia and Morocco and left fans shocked with one of his inclusions.
    Fans were left shocked as Jurgen Klinsmann named Neymar in his Team of the TournamentCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Neymar only played in three of Brazil’s five games at the tournamentCredit: Getty
    The former player and manager picked Brazil captain Neymar in his Team of the Tournament.
    The decision seemed odd to fans as the PSG star only played three of the side’s five games.
    Neymar did score twice and assist one goal during his time on the pitch but was not able to help Brazil win their sixth World Cup.
    They were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Croatia on penalties.
    READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
    Neymar was even outscored by nine other attackers that did not make Klinsmann’s eleven such as England’s Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka as well as Netherlands star Cody Gakpo.
    Fans took to social media to question Klinsmann on his decision, with one tweeting: “Jurgen Klinsmann putting Neymar in his team of the tournament.
    “Played three matches, missed two due to injury.
    “Some people are such famous and renowned names that they know they can just turn up without doing any work beforehand and no one will call them out.”
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
    Another said: “Neymar barely played in the World Cup and yet makes Klinsmann’s WC team.”
    A third added: “Klinsmann has Neymar in his Team of the Tournament and Sosa, clueless”.
    A fourth wrote: “Klinsmann puts Neymar in his team of the tournament saying he’s had a fantastic World Cup?
    “You taking the p***? Been injured for half of it”.
    Neymar was also criticised as he did not take a penalty in the shootout against Croatia.
    The attacker was due to take the fifth spot-kick but the tie had been settled before he got the chance to step up.

    While co-pundits Micah Richards and Alex Scott agreed with Klinsmann over his attacking picks of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe they both went for different options ahead of the Brazilian.
    Richards picked Argentina and Manchester City forward Julien Alvarez and Scott went for France striker Olivier Giroud. More

  • in

    Argentina song insulting English over Falklands becomes No1 song on Spotify after players chanted it in dressing room

    AN X-rated anti-English Argentina song has become the most played song in the country after players sang it in the dressing room. Following their World Cup semi-final win over Croatia, a video emerged of the team celebrating in the dressing room with a chant which references the Falklands War.
    Argentina stars chanted an x-rated song after their 3-0 over CroatiaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/nicolasotamendi30/2992608859163596721/?hl=en
    Nicolas Otamendi filmed his team-mates on his Instagram storyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/nicolasotamendi30/2992608859163596721/?hl=en
    Lionel Messi and Co could be seen joining inCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/nicolasotamendi30/2992608859163596721/?hl=en
    The song references the Falklands WarCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/nicolasotamendi30/2992608859163596721/?hl=en
    And the song seems to have caught on back home, with it flying up the charts to become the most played song on Spotify in the country.
    Globo report the song, known as “Muchachos”, was played more than 500,000 times in a single day.
    Defender Nicolas Otamendi filmed shirtless Argentina players singing “Ingleses putos de Malvinas no me olvido”, which has a rough translation of “f***ing English in the Falklands, I don’t forget”.
    ARGENTINA VS FRANCE – TV info and team news
    READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
    Lisandro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, who play their football in England at Manchester United and City respectively, could be seen joining in too.
    It followed on from the nation reaching their sixth World Cup final, and a second with captain Lionel Messi.
    The song has become popular throughout the tournament, picking up more and more pace as they have progressed deeper.
    It also fires a dig towards South American rivals Brazil, who they beat in the Copa America last year.
    Most read in Football
    The full chant goes: “Brazilian, what happened, the five-time champions screwed up.
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST BETTING APPS FOR THE WORLD CUP
    “Messi went to Rio and he left with the cup.
    “We are the Argentine band and we will always cheer them on, because we have the dream of being the world champion. 
    “I’m like that, I am Argentinian, f***ing English in the Falklands, I don’t forget.
    “I’m like that, I encourage you, I follow Argentina everywhere.”
    Indeed, the ill-feeling’s regarding the Falklands conflict was a factor in blocking Premier League referee Anthony Taylor from officiating the final between France and Argentina.
    Instead, Polish official Szymon Marciniak will be in charge of the game.
    It is believed Fifa’s appointment system say that ensuring neutrality is deemed as a top priority and means that English referees would not be put on matches involving Argentina and vice versa. More

  • in

    Croatia star Andrej Kramaric breaks down in tears as he’s forced out of World Cup 3rd place play-off with injury

    ANDREJ KRAMARIC’S World Cup ended in tears as he hobbled off injured.The Croatian striker was offside when he received the ball and tried a cross from the right during the second half of the third-place play-off with Morocco.
    Andrej Kramaric went off injured in the World Cup third-place play-offCredit: Reuters
    He was tended to by medics on the pitchCredit: AP
    He was visibly emotional as he headed to the sidelinesCredit: Getty
    However, in delivering the ball in, the striker damaged his knee and immediately went down with no contact from the defender.
    And as play carried on, he gingerly made his way back to the centre circle but sat back down on the turf awaiting treatment and was eventually helped off the field by medics in floods of tears.
    Clearly emotional, the former Leicester man was spotted with ice strapping on his hamstring on the bench.
    Kramaric, 31, plays his club football for Hoffenheim in Germany following his struggles at the King Power.
    READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
    Die Kraichgauer return to Bundesliga action away at Union Berlin on January 21.
    Hoffenheim sit 11th in the table with Kramaric scoring three of his 106 goals for the club this season.

    But he was clearly concerned about his fitness as he limped off for the final time after seven appearances at Qatar 2022.
    Kramaric scored both of his goals at the winter World Cup in the 4-1 comeback win over Canada which ultimately proved crucial in sending Croatia through to the knockouts.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS FOR DECEMBER 2022
    Zlatko Dalic’s side then beat Japan and Brazil on penalties to reach the semi-finals – but came undone against Argentina to drop into the bronze medal match.
    Croatia led 2-1 midway through the second half when Kramaric went down and was replaced by Nikola Vlasic.
    Superb goals from Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic either side of Achraf Dari’s equaliser put the Europeans in front.
    And that is how it ended as they repeated their third-place finish of 1998.
    Kramaric joined in the celebrations on the pitch after full-time – carried around thanks to a piggy-back from Borna Sosa. More

  • in

    Croatia 2 Morocco 1 LIVE RESULT: Orsic seals third place finish at World Cup for Croatia after Gvardiol and Dia haeders

    CROATIA finished third at the 2022 World Cup with victory over Morocco.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.
    And this saw the Europeans finish third, four years after being named as runners up in Russia.

    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

    Get £40 in free bets & bonuses when staking £10 with 888Sport
    READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
    Goodbye from Khalifa International Stadium
    Sixty-three matches down, one to go.
    The penultimate game of the World Cup – normally the one that matters least – served up a humdinger of a contest, befitting two nations that have excelled at Qatar 2022.
    In the end, it was Luka Modric and Croatia that took bronze, but only after seeing off the battling effort of Walid Regragui’s history-making Moroccan team.
    Tomorrow, attention will turn to Argentina and France, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, and the World Cup final.
    You won’t want to miss it, and you won’t with us here at SunSport.
    Until then, thanks for joining us and goodnight.
    Extra! Read all about it!
    They said it was the game that didn’t matter, but for Luka Modric and his Croatia teammates, the smiles on their faces at full time said it all.
    Dan King looks back on a thrilling afternoon with his match report of Croatia’s 2-1 win over Morocco in the third place play-off.
    Whatever happens, at least one little genius of a number 10 has signed off from the World Cup on a high. Luka Modric will watch Lionel Messi try to write the final chapter to his fairytale in today’s final and wonder what might have been. But Croatia’s captain and greatest ever player ended his career on the biggest stage of all as a winner. And the two goals that earned him that pleasure were things of beauty.Dan KingThe Sun

    Modric bows out in style
    Luka Modric’s final World Cup performance was every bit as assured and effective as we have come to expect throughout his career.

    83 touches
    93% pass accuracy
    100% take-on success
    5 duels won
    2 interceptions
    7 final third entries

    Cro and behold
    They not be a vintage class, but Croatia have yet again shown just how hard they are to beat on the world stage.
    Credit: @optajoe Twitter
    Match stats from Khalifa International Stadium
    Morocco’s second half endeavour ensured there wasn’t much in the numbers, but it’s Croatia that win out in Qatar.

    Full time – Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    Referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim calls time on the third place play-off, and the Croatian bench rushes on to the pitch to celebrate finishing third at Qatar 2022!
    It’s another extraordinary achievement for a country of 4,000,000 that played their first World Cup in 1998, and follows up from their runners-up spot at Russia 2018.
    The Moroccan players are furious at the final whistle, confronting the officials in numbers but when the dust settles, they too will look proudly back at a memorable tournament.
    All the scoring took place in the first half when exquisite finishes from Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic sandwiched Achraf Dari’s immediate equaliser.

    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    90+6. En-Nesyri header! Over!
    The striker gets up above Perisic to meet a cross from the left, and makes the perfect connection.
    The Moroccan does everything right, heading back across the stranded Livakovic, but is an inch over the frame of the goal.
    We were that close to extra-time.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    90+4. This time they do manage to get a cross in when Zaroury’s centre is absolutely fizzed towards the near post.
    As he’s shown all tournament, Livakovic proves he’s a safe pair of hands.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    90+3. Morocco haven’t given up.
    Amrabat bursts forward with the ball from the back, but his teammates are unable to make room for a cross.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    90. As the fourth official signals six extra minutes, Hakimi finds space on the right touchline and delivers a gorgeous centre.
    En-Nesyri gets up highest but his header clatters into Petkovic at close quarters.
    Immediately, the Morocco goalkeeper claims handball, but the referee isn’t interested, and replays show that it cannoned off the Croatian substitute’s back.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    89. For once, Ziyech’s delivery is an awful one, and crashes straight into his clubmate Kovacic.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    88. Two minutes to go, and the Croatian supporters in the stadium think they’ve got this one won.
    On the pitch, the Moroccans have other ideas and win a free-kick midway inside the Croatia half.
    They send everyone bar the goalkeeper up on to the edge of the area.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    86. Kovacic with the chance to seal victory! Wide!
    The Chelsea man gets ahead of Hakimi with great desire, but then demonstrates his shooting ability with an effort pulled the wrong side of the far post.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    84. Amallah is cautioned for catching Petkovic with his arm, and then it all gets a little out of hand.
    Five furious Moroccan players surround the referee, while another group are involved in some pushing and shoving with their Croatian counterparts.
    Maybe the third place play-off does matter.

    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    82. A corner to Croatia, but the Europeans don’t over commit in sending players forward.
    Unsurprisingly, it comes to nothing.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    80. Ziyech goes looking for Chair at the far post, but his cross is too high for the substitute.
    And not just because the QPR man is five foot two.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    79. And still the Moroccan fans bring the noise.
    But can their side muster one last burst?
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    77. The more replays shown of the challenge on Gvardiol, the more it looks a penalty.
    I’ve no idea what the VAR officials are up to, perhaps they’ve knocked off for their tea.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    75. Straight down the other end, and En-Nesyri’s point blank effort is sensationally saved by Livakovic.
    Seconds later, Hakimi goes down on the edge of the area, and he too is told to get up.
    The referee is now getting it in the neck from both sets of players and benches.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    74. A brilliant move by Croatia takes advantage of a fantastic burst from the back by Gvardiol to find the centre-back inside the penalty area.
    The defender looks set to cap a sensational move, only to be brought down by Amrabat.
    It looks a clear penalty, but Abdulrahman Al Jassim waves play-on.

    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    71. Substitute Ounahi goes into the book for a petulant show of dissent.
    It’s the first yellow card shown by Abdulrahman Al Jassim this afternoon.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    70. As ever with a flurry of substitutions, any kind of tempo has evaporated.
    Vlasic tries to bring it back somewhat with a driving run through the heart of a midfield, and a 25-yard strike over the crossbar.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    67. Morocco boss Walid Regregui has big problems here, and he’ll be glad that this tournament is almost over.
    Shortly after one central defender in Achraf Dari had gone off injured, it seems now that so too will the other.
    Jawad El Yamiq has indicated that he’s unable to continue, and all the coach has left on the bench is a midfielder in Selim Amallah.
    It looks like the Moroccans are going to have to restructure for the final quarter of the contest.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    66. Now Croatia make a double switch.
    Mario Pasalic and Bruno Petkovic come on for Lovro Majer and Marko Livajo.
    Croatia 2-1 Morocco
    64. Walid Regragui freshens things up with another two changes.
    One of those is enforced with goalscorer Achraf Dari going off with a knock, and he’s replaced in a like-for-like move by centre-back Bard Benoun.
    Anass Zaroury for Sofiane Boufal is the other change.
    Load more entries… More