Highlight, Key Moments, Winner, Loser

Match Summary

This is a third-place match. Played in Khalifa International Stadium.

The 2-1 victory over Morocco was enough for Croatia to finish in third place at the World Cup. Gvardiol’s stunning diving header gave Croatia the lead after only seven minutes, but Dari’s close-range header less than two minutes later tied the game. Just before halftime, Orsic scored again, this time with a beautiful shot that looped in off the far post to give his team the advantage. The Moroccans had two excellent opportunities late in the game, but Livakovic made a wonderful save from En-Nesyri and the attacker missed a late header.

Full Time – Croatia 2 – 1 Morocco

Key Moments

• 7 minutes of 1st Half – A GOAL BY GVARDIOL FOR CROATIA! Modric lifts a beautiful free kick into the near post, where Perisic has time to get behind his man and provide a cushioned header. As the ball squirms past Bounou and into the net, Gvardiol lunges forward to give it a decisive header. In a nutshell: Croatia wins, 1-0.
• 9 Minutes of 1st Half – DARI STANDS EQUALS MOROCCO! To everyone’s surprise, Morocco is now competitive again. Gvardiol, who scored Croatia’s goal, concedes the free kick, and while Ziyech’s delivery isn’t terrific, it bounces off Majer in the wall and onto the edge of the six-yard box. Dari quickly reacts, and, at close range, he heads it past Livakovic. 1-1!
• 42 Minutes of 1st Half – The ORSIC WIN! It’s a fantastic goal, too. A missed shot by Majer due to a heavy touch is followed by the ball being knocked out to Orsic by Livaja. He takes a left-footed shot from the left side of the box and beats Bounou’s outstretched hand with a looping effort that goes in off the far post. At this point, Croatia leads 2-1.