Croatia’s Luka Modrić in motion in entrance of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi in the course of the World Cup third-place playoff match between Croatia and Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.

Thanassis Stavrakis/AP

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Thanassis Stavrakis/AP

AL RAYYAN, Qatar — Luka Modrić led Croatia to 3rd place in what was doubtless the midfield nice’s final look on the World Cup.

The runners-up from 4 years in the past secured one other medal by beating Morocco 2-1 within the third-place match on Saturday.

Mislav Oršić scored the decisive objective shortly earlier than halftime at Khalifa International Stadium to make sure Modrić completed on a successful observe, if this does turn into his final World Cup match.

At the age of 37, that appears doubtless, even when there are hopes he’ll lead his nation on the 2024 European Championship.

Joško Gvardiol put Croatia forward within the seventh minute, however Achraf Dari evened the rating within the ninth.

It is the second time Croatia has taken third place. The group additionally achieved that feat in its first World Cup as an impartial nation 1998.

After turning into the primary African group to succeed in the World Cup semifinals, Morocco’s match resulted in two losses. But the group’s achievements in Qatar will likely be remembered for the outpouring of pleasure amongst Arab nations.

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

The third-place match is taken into account by some to be a meaningless exhibition. Even Morocco coach Walid Regragui described it as a “booby prize” within the buildup. But neither group lacked motivation in a fiercely contested sport between two nations that few anticipated to go to date.

That was underlined by a number of gamers needing to be substituted due to damage within the second half as Morocco pushed for an equalizer.

The groups had already performed out 0-0 draw within the group stage and had made to the semifinals on the again of robust defenses, with a mixed six shutouts. Goals weren’t an issue this time.

Perhaps that was due to the relative freedom of taking part in in a sport with supposedly little at stake. Another issue for Morocco, not less than, was the absence of three key defenders, Romain Saïss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui.
The impression of these absences was felt when Croatia took the lead off Gvardiol’s diving header. In a slick transfer, Ivan Perišić flicked a free kick into the center of the penalty field and the middle again did the remainder.

Morocco responded two minutes later when Lovro Majer inadvertently helped on Hakim Ziyech’s free kick and Dari headed in to even the rating.

Croatia, nevertheless, was again in entrance three minutes earlier than halftime.

Oršić picked up the ball on the left of the field and curled a shot towards the highest nook. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou bought a contact on the ball, however might solely push it onto the submit on its approach into the online.