World Cup 2022: Croatia finish third after beating Morocco 2-1
Morocco are the first African and Arab nation to make it through to the semi-finals in a World Cup after defying expectations earlier in the tournament.
Saturday 17 December 2022 17:55, UK
Croatia have finished third in the World Cup after beating Morocco in the third-fourth place play-off in Qatar.
Josko Gvardiol scored Croatia's first goal in the opening 10 minutes but Morocco's Achraf Dari equalised soon after.
At 1-1, Morocco's hopes of becoming the first African nation to reach third place were still alive.
But Mislav Orsic restored Croatia's lead before half time to make it 2-1.
Morocco had one final chance during six minutes of extra time, but Youssef En-Nesyri missed a shot on goal.
Croatia finished runners-up to France at the last World Cup in Russia.
Morocco's victory over Portugal in the quarter-finals was one of many upsets in the tournament in Qatar.
It saw Morocco become the first Arab and African nation in history to make the final four, where they were beaten by France.
Croatia lost to Argentina 3-0 in their semi-final.
Argentina, like France, will be vying for their country's third World Cup win in the final on Sunday.