Croatia bags third place in FIFA WC '22, defeats Morocco 2-1
Al Rayyan, Dec 17: Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great's last appearance at the World Cup.
The runners-up from four years ago secured another medal by beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place match on Saturday.
Mislav Orsic scored the decisive goal shortly before halftime at Khalifa International Stadium to ensure Modric finished on a winning note, if this does turn out to be his last World Cup match.
At the age of 37, that seems likely, even if there are hopes he will lead his country at the 2024 European Championship.
Josko Gvardiol put Croatia ahead in the seventh minute, but Achraf Dari evened the score in the ninth.
It is the second time Croatia has taken third place. The team also achieved that feat in its first World Cup as an independent nation 1998.
After becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, Morocco's tournament ended in two losses. But the team's achievements in Qatar will be remembered for the outpouring of pride among Arab nations.
The World Cup final between defending champion France and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at Lusail Stadium.
The third-place match is considered by some to be a meaningless exhibition. Even Morocco coach Walid Regragui described it as a "booby prize" in the buildup. But neither team lacked motivation in a fiercely contested game between two nations that few expected to go so far.
That was underlined by a host of players needing to be substituted because of injury in the second half as Morocco pushed for an equalizer.
The teams had already played out 0-0 draw in the group stage and had made to the semifinals on the back of tough defenses, with a combined six shutouts. Goals weren't a problem this time.
Perhaps that was because of the relative freedom of playing in a game with supposedly little at stake. Another factor for Morocco, at least, was the absence of three key defenders, Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui.
The impact of those absences was felt when Croatia took the lead off Gvardiol's diving header. In a slick move, Ivan Perisic flicked a free kick into the middle of the penalty box and the center back did the rest.
Morocco responded two minutes later when Lovro Majer inadvertently helped on Hakim Ziyech's free kick and Dari headed in to even the score.
Croatia, however, was back in front three minutes before halftime.
Orsic picked up the ball on the left of the box and curled a shot toward the top corner. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou got a touch on the ball, but could only push it onto the post on its way into the net.
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We have to save country from dictatorship: Kejriwal after walking out of Tihar
New Delhi, May 10: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Friday thanked Lord Hanuman as he stepped out of Tihar Jail on interim bail and sought people's support in his "fight against dictatorship".
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor was granted interim bail till June 1 by the Supreme Court earlier in the day.
He walked out of the prison in the evening amid dhol beats and sloganeering by AAP workers and leaders.
Standing through the sunroof of a car, Kejriwal then addressed AAP workers and supporters amid slogans of 'Jail Ke Tale Toot Gaye, Kejriwalji Chhoot Gaye'.
Beginning with slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Inquilab Zindabad', the Delhi chief minister said, "I am fighting against dictatorship with all my might but 140 crore people (of the country) will have to come together to fight against it."
He further said that he would visit the Hanuman temple at Connaught Place at 11 am on Saturday and address a press conference at the AAP office at 1 pm.
"I am feeling great to be with you. I had told you that I would come out soon... First of all, I want to pay obeisance to Lord Hanuman. I am among you because of the blessings of Lord Hanuman," Kejriwal added.
The AAP leader also thanked people for their love and blessings and asked them to come together to fight against dictatorship.
"I want to thank you all. Crores of people of the country sent their blessings to me. I want to thank the Supreme Court because of which I am here," he added.
50 दिनों के बाद तिहाड़ जेल से बाहर आए CM अरविंद केजरीवाल। https://t.co/wdUhvBFCxJ
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 10, 2024
