The third-place match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Al Khalifa International Stadium between Croatia and Morocco has been an intense affair that saw some rough challenges, two goals in quick succession, and a lot of drama regarding the referee’s decision. After Croatia’s win, the Moroccan players were nowhere to be found as the Luka Modric-led side were being awarded with their third-place medals.
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Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi had to be stopped by his teammates after the match as he charged towards referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim. Even their coach, Walid Regragui, had to step onto the field to stop the PSG star.
Mislav Orsic scored the decisive goal shortly before halftime at Khalifa International Stadium 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.
If France win against Morocco, they will be the first nation to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. It will also mean that Lionel Messi would lose the fourth out of the five major finals he has played with Argentina.
