Morocco miss out on third-place finish after loss to Croatia

Morocco missed out on a third-place finish at the World Cup after losing 2-1 to Croatia in the bronze medal contest on Saturday.

Ahram Online , AP , Saturday 17 Dec 2022,
Croatia v Morocco
Croatia s midfielder #10 Luka Modric (L) fights for the ball with Morocco s midfielder #23 Bilal el Khannouss during the Qatar 2022 World Cup third place play-off football match between Croatia and Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 17, 2022 (AFP)


Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great's last appearance at the World Cup.

The runners-up from four years ago secured another medal by beating Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium.

Mislav Orsic scored the decisive goal shortly before halftime to ensure Modric finished on a winning note, if this does turn out to be his last World Cup match.

At the age of 37, that seems likely, even if there are hopes he will lead his country at the 2024 European Championship.

Josko Gvardiol put Croatia ahead in the seventh minute, but Achraf Dari evened the score in the ninth.

After becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, Morocco's tournament ended in two losses. But then team's achievements in Qatar will be remembered for the outpouring of pride among Arab nations.

The World Cup final between defending champion France and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at Lusail Stadium.

Check the 2022 World Cup matches and statistics.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: