Two underrated nations with great accomplishments. The challenge of this clash for third place between Croatia and Morocco, won 2-1 by the men in checkerboard, was not only sporting.
Yes, Croatia ends its World Cup on the third step of the podium. A very nice feat. A great way also for the legendary Luka Modric to end his career at the World Cup.
But beyond the result, the holding of this match, in its context, was the confirmation of what a good national soccer program can reserve for its teams of the highest level.
The Croats were finalists in 2018. Third in 2022. And are still big dates. They are an example of stability and success in international soccer. A considerable success for this nation of some 4 million inhabitants. This third position, today, allows the Croatian federation to obtain a copious 27 million dollars, to reinvest in its program.
PHOTO PAUL CHILDS, REUTERS
The Croatian players pose proudly with their bronze medal.
“It’s a bronze medal, but for us it looks like a gold medal,” coach Zatko Dalic said on Croatian television after the match.
“I am not yet aware of what we have achieved, blew Mislav Orsic, scorer on the victorious Croatian net. Maybe I’ll realize later… We had a good game, it was fun. We deserve to win. And I scored the most important goal of my career. »
The Atlas Lions have made Morocco dream over the past month. His victories over Spain and Portugal, coupled with his first place finish in a tough Group F, were prodigious and historic. It was the very first presence of an African team in the semi-finals, let us remember.
And the fallout — 25 million from FIFA for his fourth-place finish, though — should bode well for the future. For Morocco, and for African soccer.
You had to be on time!
The history of this match was written in the first half.
The Croats opened the scoring quickly, in the 7the minute, on a superb sequence of stopped play; Josko Gvardiol took off to complete the action with a header.
PHOTO PAUL CHILDS, REUTERS
Josko Gvardiol (centre) scored the first goal of the game.
Two minutes later, the Moroccans responded with their own free-kick assault, courtesy of Achraf Dari’s header inside the box. You should not arrive late in front of your television: even before the 10e minute, it was 1-1.
PHOTO ANDRE PENNER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Achraf Dari tied the game at 1-1.
Then, at the 42e, the decisive goal. A superb curling strike from Mislav Orsic, at the entrance to the box.
Both teams offered open play in the first period. Morocco in particular had the ascendancy of the best chances to score. But when Croatia strike, they rarely miss.
In the second half, she let Morocco put the pressure on, especially late in the game. Youssef En-Nasyri missed two great chances to level the score at 2-2. At the 75e, he got the ball alone late in front of the net, but goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic intervened. At the 96ehis header went just above the crossbar.
“It’s a bitter defeat, but I think it’s deserved, agreed Moroccan coach Wali Regragui. We saw a team that did not give up. […] We united our country for a month, everyone was happy. »
Morocco elbowed the big nations, beat them, and adapted throughout the tournament. A great soccer nation has just been born.
“We will have to come back even stronger,” added Regragui. People will wait for us. We are happy in the end, we are in the four best teams in the world. »
With Agence France-Presse