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Rabat – Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 on Saturday to claim the 2022 World Cup’s bronze medal at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
Scoring began very early on, with Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol placing a header into the back of Yassine Bounou’s net at the seventh minute.
The Croats’ lead did not last long, as Moroccan defender Achraf Dari came back two minutes later to score another header from close range and put Morocco back in the game.
Mislav Orsic put Croatia back in the lead at the 42nd minute after a shot that Bounou’s stretched hand could not quite reach.
The second half saw both teams pushing into their oppositions’ halves, but solid defensive performances on both ends prevented another goal.
Despite its elimination from the semi-final stage, Morocco’s national team entered history and will be leaving Qatar with heads held high for honorably representing Africa and the Arab world.
Morocco defeated some global heavy-hitters, such as Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their way to the top four.
Despite an admirable performance against defending champions France, injuries and exhaustion combined with France’s attacking prowess to knock the Atlas Lions out.
Read also: Thank You Atlas Lions: The Big Win We Already Won
The game was also subject to officiating controversy, as Morocco’s football federation accused Mexican referee Cesar Ramos of robbing the team of two penalty opportunities.
France will play Argentina at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday at 16:00 Moroccan time, with Les Blues hoping to become the first team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil did so in 1962.
Meanwhile, as the career of superstar Lionel Messi winds down, Argentina is searching for its first World Cup trophy since 1986 and its third overall.
