Izuchukwu OkosiCroatia claimed the third place spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as they beat Morocco 2-1 in Saturday’s classification match at the Khalifa International Stadium reports Prime Business Africa.
Croatia scored the first goal of the game through promising defender, Josko Gvardiol, who leapt to head home for the opener in the 7th minute.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe centre back thus became the youngest goal scorer for Croatia at the World Cup in 20 years, 328 days breaking the record held by Ivica Olic in Korea/Japan 2002 in 23 years, 267 days against Italy.
Gvardiol was however at fault in less than two minutes when he gave out a free kick as Morocco equalised through Achraf Dari at close range who headed past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic from a Hakim Ziyech’s looping free kick.
None of the past 19 this place finals had gone into penalties with only one settled in extra time (France versus Belgium in 1986).
European teams have won the third place final in the last 10 editions since Brazil’s 2-1 win over Italy in 1978.
Mislav Orsic restored Croatia’s lead in the 42nd minute with a delightfully curled effort to the top right corner after Morocco failed to clear their lines.
With 16 minutes left on the clock, Gvardiol made a brilliant run through the middle and he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Croat set himself for a shot when Amrabat kicked his back foot and brought him down, but the referee waved play on, and VAR agreed.
READ ALSO: Qatar 2022: 4 Takeaways From Croatia’s Win Against Brazil
The game opened up in the last few minutes of the match as Gvardiol’s flicked clearance fell to Youseff En-Nesyri at the far post. He let the ball bounce before hitting the half-volley, but Livakovic spread himself to smother it.
Matteo Kovacic embarked on a brilliant run four minutes to full time but dragged his low shot wide inside the box much to the relief of the Morocans still hoping for an equaliser.
Yahya Attiat-Allah delivered a tantalising cross into the box and the ball was headed to the top of the post by El-nesyri.
The game finished that way and Croatia ensured that they got a podium finish in Qatar.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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