Gvardiol and Oršić score to down Morocco

Croatia wins another FIFA World Cup bronze medal!

17.12.2022.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Croatia national football team defeated Morocco 2:1 in the FIFA World Cup third place play-off, winning its third medal in just 24 years!

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Following the historic bronze medal in the first FIFA World Cup appearance in France '98, and the magnificent silver medal from Russia '18, the Vatreni have amazed the world with another medal, the bronze from Qatar '22, that also tastes like gold.

In the third place play-off, Croatia overcame Morocco, the same opponent from the first match in this year's group stage.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

With merely seven minutes gone, Croatia took the lead from a set-piece, as Perišić provided the assist to Gvardiol, who headed the ball tome (1:0).

Joško Gvardiol was awarded as the official player of the match, and became the youngest Croatia goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup match.

However, the Moroccans immediately found the equalizer, also from a set-piece, as Dari's header did the damage. Despite this, Zlatko Dalić's men continued to perform well, and were rewarded on 42 minutes.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

It was when Livaja found Oršić, who fantastically struck the ball to restore Croatia's lead.

In the second half, both teams had promising opportunities, with Livaković recording another outstanding save, and it was a tense encounter until the very end. Still, Croatia stood its ground and the time came to collect the medals!

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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