Morocco failed to secure Africa first medal at a World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to last edition’s finalists, Croatia in the third-place match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Thursday evening in Qatar.
The North Africans made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the semifinals of a FIFA World Cup but were beaten 2-0 by France, while Croatia, who finished the first runners up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, were defeated 3-0 by Argentina.
It was the second time both teams would meet in this competition, following a goalless draw in their opening Group F game 24 days ago.
In today’s encounter, Joško Gvardiol put Croatia upfront with a powerful header in the 7th minute of the match but Morocco responded almost immediately through Achraf Dari’s header barely two minutes later.
Mislav Oršíć brought Croatia back in the lead just with a beautiful curl that struck the post on its way into the net just a few minutes before the halftime break.
Both sides tried to find the back of the net again in the second half of the third-place match but were sloppy in front of goal, with Youssef En-Nesyri bottling a clear chance to level the game for Morocco from a point blank range.
Oršíć’s goal secured the victory and the bronze medal for the Croatians, further extending the wait of Africa to record a medal at the finals of the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place tomorrow at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, with defending Champions, France taking on reigning Copa America Champions, Argentina.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been appointed to charge of the final, a match expected to be graced by a performance from Afrobeats great, Davido.
