FIFA World Cup: Croatia beat Morocco to clinch third place

Doha, December 17 Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 in an entertaining World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday Mislav Orsic curled in a brilliant goal in the 42nd minute to give Croatia 2-1 lead over Morocco at halftime. Croatia went ahead after...

Reuters

Updated At : 03:13 AM Dec 18, 2022 IST

Doha, December 17

Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 in an entertaining World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday

Mislav Orsic curled in a brilliant goal in the 42nd minute to give Croatia 2-1 lead over Morocco at halftime.

Croatia went ahead after seven minutes with a clever free kick routine as Ivan Perisic peeled away then headed the ball back across goal for the masked Josko Gvardiol to meet it with a diving header from 13 yards out.

The lead lasted less than two minutes as a Moroccan free kick looped up off the head of Lovro Majer and Achraf Dari bravely followed it to head in from close range.

Both teams created some good chances before Orsic struck with a brilliant shot over and beyond goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and in off the post to restore Croatia’s lead.