While the opening group game ended 0-0, Joško Guardiol and fellow defender Ashraf Darí scored within the first ten minutes today. Mislav Oršič gave the Croatians the lead just before the break. Morocco, who were the first African team to advance to the semi-finals at the World Cup, failed to win their first medal.
The Croatians started more actively and scored the opener in the seventh minute. Majer took a free-kick, Perišič gave the ball to Guardiola, who headed past Bunú. The Moroccan goalkeeper had already almost headed in his own net after a risky play.
Morocco’s tie in the bronze medal matchvideo: Czech television
The North African team responded within two minutes from a similar situation. After a set piece and unwanted run from defender Majer, Darí scored his first international goal with a close-range header.
The Moroccan players asked for a penalty in vainvideo: Czech television
The “Vatreni” were more active and dangerous in the rest of the first half. Captain Modrič’s shot was twice cleared by Bunú, but in the 42nd minute Oršič put the Croatians ahead with a well-executed technical shot against the post.
At least three goals have been scored in eleven of the last 12 matches for third place at the World Cup. The exception was the last tournament, where Belgium beat England 2-0 in the bronze medal game.
Oršič also threatened shortly after the change of ends, when he shot wide on goal. The Croatians controlled their lead for a long time, but in the 74th minute they were very angry because the Qatari referees had not awarded a penalty for Amrabat’s foul on Guardiola.
On the other hand, Nasírí beat goalkeeper Livakovič from close range, otherwise the Moroccans could not finish very well. Conversely, Kovačič could have made a safety in the 87th minute, but he narrowly fired from close range. After six minutes he refused to equalize as Nasirí headed over the crossbar.
The Croatians won the championship in Qatar for only the second time in the regular season. The Moroccans conceded two goals, just like in the semi-final against France (0:2), while in the previous five duels of the tournament they conceded only once after an own goal.
| WC in football – match for 3rd place |
|---|
| Croatia – Morocco 2:1 |
| Goals: 7. Gvardiol, 42. Oršič – 9. Darí. Referee: Jasím – T. Marrí, Makalí (all cat.) – Bascuňán (video, Chile). ŽK: Únahí, Amallá (both Morocco). Spectators: 44,137. |
| Croatia: Livakovič – Stanišič, Šutalo, Gvardiol, Perišič – Modrič, Kovačič – Majer (66. Pasalič), Kramarič (61. Vlašič), Oršič (90.+5 Jakič) – Livaja (66. Petkovič). Coach: Dalic. |
| Morocco: Bunu – Hakimi, Jamik (66. Amalla), Dari (64. Banun), Attiat-Alla – Channus (56. Unahi), Amrabat, Sabiri (46. Chair) – Zijach, Nasiri, Buffalo (64. Zaruri) . . . . Coach: Radzradzui. |
