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      Croatia 2 Morocco 1 LIVE: Orsic curls shot in off post to hand Croatia lead after Gvardiol and Dari headers in World Cup

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      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.
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      Fans all say the same thing as Chelsea transfer target Josko Gvardiol scores sensational header for Croatia vs Morocco

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      FANS have all been praising Chelsea transfer target Josko Gvardiol after he scored for Croatia in the World Cup third-place playoff.The defender netted with a leaping header after Luka Modric’s cross to put his side in front against the African nation.
      Josko Gvardiol scored a brilliant header against MoroccoCredit: AP
      The defender has been impressive at the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Croatia faced Morocco in the clash after both sides lost their World Cup semi-final matches against Argentina and France.
      Despite taking the lead thanks to Gvardiol’s goal, it was quickly cancelled out as Moroccan defender Achraf Dari scored just less than two minutes later.
      Gvardiol has been one of the stars of the tournament with his impressive performances in the back line.
      The 20-year-old RB Leipzig star was already a wanted man, and his goal is a reminder of how good he can be.
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      Chelsea are one of the clubs tipped to be interested in signing the defender.
      After his goals, fans were quick to say how good he is on social media.
      One wrote: “Running out of words to describe how good of a footballer that Josko Gvardiol is.”
      A second commented: “Josko Gvardiol is the best centre-back in the 2022 World Cup”.
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      A third said: “Fine goal by a quality player”.
      A fourth added: “Josko Gvardiol’s goal is a prize that football gives him after an outstanding World Cup”.
      As well as Chelsea, Gvardiol has attracted interest from other Premier League sides such as Manchester City.
      The Citizens are said to be lining up a £110million move for the defender to strengthen their backline. More

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      Watch Morocco keeper Bono nearly score outrageous own goal in the opening minutes of World Cup 3rd place playoff

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      MOROCCO goalkeeper Yassine Bounou nearly scored an outrageous OWN GOAL in the early stages of the 3rd place playoff against Croatia.The Africans are hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to France.
      Yassine Bounou almost put into his own netCredit: BBC
      His sliced clearance was heading towards his goalCredit: BBC
      Luckily for him, his effort went just wide of the postCredit: BBC
      But they almost got off to the worst possible start.
      That’s because with barely two minutes on the clock, Bounou came close to putting into his OWN net.

      Having received a pass from Jawad El Yamiq, he was closed down by Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric and panicked under pressure before making a complete hash of his clearance.
      Fortunately for him, his sliced effort landed the right side of the post and only out for a corner.
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      And fans have been reacting on Twitter to bizarre moment.
      One said: “Playing close to the edge there.”

      Another replied: “Petr Cech vibes.”
      A third chimed in with: “Bono, your senses have gone! 😬.”
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      Morocco did fall behind soon after when Josko Gvardiol headed home the opener from an Ivan Perisic assist.
      But the Atlas Lions weren’t behind for long as Achraf Dari restored parity less than two minutes later. More

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      France risk embarrassment after Nike website puts ‘3-star kit’ on sale BEFORE Argentina World Cup final

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      KIT manufacturer Nike may have jinxed France’s chances against Argentina.That’s by putting a “three-star” kit on sale BEFORE Sunday’s World Cup final.
      Nike put a ‘three-star’ France kit up for sale BEFORE Sunday’s World Cup finalCredit: Nike
      France have only won two World Cups but hope to make it three against ArgentinaCredit: Getty
      And France now risk embarrassment should they fail to defend their trophy against Lionel Messi.
      Didier Deschamps’ men are looking to become the first side to win two successive World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
      France’s victory in Russia over four years ago was their second triumph in the competition, having broken their duck on home soil in 1998.
      But kit sponsors Nike appear confident that Kylian Mbappe and Co are on course for a third triumph.
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      That’s because they released a new commemorative France shirt on their website, with the description reading: “FFF (French Football Federation) three stars 2022/23 stadium residence.”
      The hilarious blunder suggests that France have already beaten Argentina, despite the sides not meeting until tomorrow.
      Interestingly, the shirt shown as the product only revealed two stars above the French crest.
      And Nike swiftly took down the “three-star” description after it was spotted by eagle-eyed fans.
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      The blunder could now backfire badly for France, with Argentina’s passionate players sure to be fired up by it.
      There’s already not much to choose between the two sides, with Messi and Mbappe rated as two of the world’s top footballers.
      And like France, Argentina are also looking for their third World Cup win, having triumphed in 1978 and 1986.
      Some French fans believe the final is now already decided in Argentina’s favour due to Nike’s error.
      One said: “It’s bad luck to the bottom. For sure we will lose this final.”
      Another declared: “It will bring bad luck. Already I don’t see them winning.”
      One noted: “They will manage to jinx us.”
      Another added: “They don’t learn the lesson, huh…” More

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      Chelsea star Thiago Silva enjoys Maldives break with stunning wife and kids after Brazil’s World Cup heartbreak

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      THIAGO SILVA is enjoying a family holiday in the Maldives before returning to Chelsea.The Brazilian, 38, suffered World Cup heartbreak last Friday when his country were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Croatia on penalties.
      Thiago Silva headed to the Maldives on holidayCredit: Instagram/ @bellesilva
      Thiago and Belle were feeling the love on the luxury islandCredit: Instagram/ @bellesilva
      The group made the most of the sun and seaCredit: Instagram/ @bellesilva
      The couple were joined by their sons Isago and IagoCredit: Instagram/ @bellesilva
      And with the defender due back at Cobham for Blues training in the coming days, he jetted off to the luxury Indian Ocean island for some downtime with his stunning wife and their kids.
      Silva’s partner Isabelle posted a series of snaps from their beach holiday for her 631,000 Instagram followers.
      She wrote: “Returning home, returning to our home.
      “With renewed energy but still feeling like something is missing. And missing!
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      “Time and God will take care of adjusting everything.
      “The important thing is that whatever happens, we will always be together, united.”
      Thiago and Belle were joined by their two sons Isago and Iago as well as other close friends or family.
      The centre-back wore a black Gucci t-shirt and denim shorts while his wife opted for a white top and blue shorts.
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      The four photos posted online include a couple of candid family snaps as well as a lovely one of Belle giving her man a kiss on the cheek and a big group shot on the shoreline in front of a golden sunset.
      The Silvas got married way back in 2005 after growing up as childhood sweethearts in their hometown of Rio de Janeiro.
      She has followed Thiago to Portugal, Russia, Italy, France and England for his illustrious club career.
      And she was in Qatar cheering on Brazil – but now attention will return to Premier League action in the British winter.
      Graham Potter’s side return to action on December 27 when they host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
      The Blues are looking for their first Premier League win since October 16, losing their last three before the World Cup break.
      Silva and Neymar suffered heartache when Croatia won the shootoutCredit: Getty
      Belle married her footballer partner in 2005Credit: Instagram @bellesilva More

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      World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll shows her support for Croatia in racy crop-top ahead of play-off with Morocco

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      IVANA KNOLL posed in a racy crop-top in the colours of her beloved Croatia as she prepared to watch the World Cup third-place play off.The superfan – dubbed the “World Cup’s hottest fan” – was in already in the stadium ahead of her beloved side’s game with Morocco.
      Ivana wearing a racy crop top in the stadium ahead of the matchCredit: Rex
      The Croatia superfan was in a playful moodCredit: Rex
      Ivana poses in a bikini on the beachCredit: INSTAGRAM / @KnollDoll
      She has became synonymous for her Croatia-themed outfitsCredit: Alamy
      Ivana, 30, has seen her fandom rise and rise during the World Cup, and couldn’t believe she’d reached three million followers on Instagram.
      In her latest snap she was seen in racy Croatia-themed crop-top in the style for which she’s become famous.
      With the name of the team’s talismanic midfielder and captain Luka Modric on the back, it’s clear who her favourite Croatia player is.
      It comes as she donned a bikini and showed off her bum as she relaxed away from the football.
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      Celebrating the milestone, she captioned her latest snap: “3 MILLION 🙈❤️🫶🏼
      “WOW GUYS! 3 MILLION almost population of my country 🇭🇷
      “THANK YOU SO MUCH, LOVE YOU ALL ❤️🫶🏼”
      Ivana received over 400,000 likes in seven hours, and plenty of comments from her adoring followers.
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      One joked: “In this World Cup you did more than Cristiano Ronaldo.”
      Fans have been desperate for selfies with Ivana during the tournamentCredit: Getty
      The model has been mobbed around the stadiumsCredit: The Mega Agency
      Even fans of other teams wanted to meet herCredit: The Mega Agency
      Another asked: “Why Croatia didn’t win with such an asset?”
      With Croatia still having to play in Saturday’s Third Place Play-Off against Morocco, fans were thrilled to learn that Ivana would be sticking around a little longer.
      They were stunned to see her ditch her Croatia-themed outfits, however, as she attended France vs Morocco in a figure-hugging black number.
      Such is Ivana’s star power at the tournament, that she has been mobbed by fans demanding selfies.
      But one fan that has NOT been showering her with love is Miss BumBum – who mocked her for Croatia’s semi-final exit.
      Ivana ditched her Croatia colours for France vs MoroccoCredit: INSTAGRAM / @KnollDoll
      Ivana watched her side lose to Argentina on TuesdayCredit: Rex
      The Croatia superfan was hoping to cheer her side to gloryCredit: PA More

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      Fuming France boss Didier Deschamps confirms Benzema WON’T play in World Cup final as he lashes out at reporter

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      FRANCE manager Didier Deschamps has hit out at a reporter while confirming that Karim Benzema will NOT play in the World Cup final.Les Bleus are set to take on Argentina tomorrow in the showpiece and the Real Madrid striker won’t make a surprise appearance.
      Didier Deschamps lashed out at a reporter for asking about Karim BenzemaCredit: Getty
      Karim Benzema will not play in the World Cup finalCredit: AFP
      The 34-year-old was named in the France squad but injured his thigh prior to the start of the tournament and was sent home.
      It has now emerged that he is back training with his club fuelling speculation he could return to Qatar for the final.
      Deschamps dismissed these rumours angrily after being repeatedly asked about Benzema and where he’d be watching the final, saying: “Are you spreading the word among foreign journalists?
      “If I don’t answer, you’ll say I’m p***ed off. 
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      “Some players have been injured and Karim Benzema is one of them and Lucas Hernandez got injured in the first game. 
      “From that point on, I have 24 players in my squad and they are the ones at my disposal, so I don’t think it is fair to those players to ask about players who aren’t here.
      “It is not up to me to decide who comes to watch the game, former players or injured players, I focus on my squad and the players at my disposal. 
      “We have lost three – Christopher Nkunku, Benzema and Hernandez. I lost them even though they were in the squad to begin with. 
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      “So now I am focusing on my 24-man squad and they are the ones I will have at my disposal tomorrow.”
      It is not the first time the manager, who is looking to win the World Cup twice in a row, has been frustrated by questions relating to Benzema.
      Earlier this week, with a sigh and a smirk, Deschamps responded to another journalist asking about the Ballon d’Or winner, saying: “I don’t really want to answer that question. Next question. I do apologise.”
      There has been speculation that Benzema is angry due to him not being allowed to return to France’s camp despite seemingly being fit.
      The French could do with extra numbers amid reports that there is a sickness bug spreading around the team – it kept Adrien Rabiot out of the semi-final. More

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      Where is the next World Cup being held in 2026?

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      THE 2022 World Cup has proved to be an entertaining affair, with fans around the world already looking to the next tournament.England bowed out in the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 to France in an unlucky encounter.
      England crashed out in Qatar at the quarter-final stageCredit: PA
      The Three Lions will be hoping to go further when they take to the pitch in 2026, with what could be a new look squad.
      Although the World Cup is four years away, we have all the details on the next tournament.
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      Where is the next World Cup being held in 2026?
      The 2026 World Cup will return to the usual schedule, kicking off in the summer.
      This comes after Qatar’s edition in 2022 was played in the winter to avoid the heat of the Middle East summers.
      However, the tournament will be the first of its kind, the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32.
      The USMNT will be hoping to go far in the 2026 World CupCredit: Getty
      These 48 teams will come from six different confederations in a larger tournament than before.
      Morocco were beaten in the final vote to decide where the tournament would be held and it is the first since 2002 to be held by multiple countries.
      The 23rd edition of the tournament will be hosted by 16 cities jointly as the USA, Mexico and Canada will be the host countries.
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