Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 to finish third for the second time in a World Cup, thanks to goals from Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic. Croatia captain Luka Modric also ends what is likely to be his final World Cup with a bronze medal, though the 37-year-old has not retired from international football yet, having committed to next summer’s Nations League finals. What about my future? I’m not sure if I’ll be playing until the Euros in Germany “When asked about Euro 2024, he told beIN Sports.
We’ll see. I need to take things slowly. I’m having fun with the national team. I’m overjoyed.” I believe I can continue to perform at a high level until at least the Nations League. Then there will be more time to consider the Euros. Now it’s step by step, at least until the Nations League, and then we’ll see. Croatia’s victory secured their third top-three finish at the World Cup after finishing runners-up to France four years ago, while Morocco’s defeat denied them the opportunity to become the first African nation to win a medal at the tournament.
Modric shines for 3rd place at World Cup
Croatia took the lead in the seventh minute thanks to a stunning diving header from Gvardiol, capping off an impressive tournament for the 20-year-old center-back. Morocco, on the other hand, responded quickly, with Achraf Dari nodding home from close range just two minutes later. If Modric, who was making his 162nd appearance for his country, is about to retire, a potential new captain in Gvardiol has emerged in Qatar. Lovro Majer clipped the ball into Ivan Perisic, who headed across the goal for the diving Gvardiol to power past Bounou after a well-worked Croatia free-kick.
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However, Majer’s headed clearance from Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick fell into the path of Dari, who nodded home from close range in the ninth minute to give the visitors a one-minute and 49-second lead. Croatia regained the lead three minutes before halftime when Marko Livaja set up Orsic, who bent a first-time right-footed effort past Bounou. When Gvardiol was tackled by Sofyan Amrabat in the second half, Croatia appealed for a penalty, but Qatari official Abdulrahman Al Jassim refused to award one.
En-Nesyri came close to equalizing twice in the dying minutes, first being denied by Livakovic and then heading over in stoppage time as Croatia held on to win the third-place play-off for the 11th time in a row. If this is the end of Luka Modric’s World Cup career, it has been a romantic one. The talk leading up to the final will be that this relationship is all or nothing – you either win or you lose. Modric’s contribution demonstrates that this is not the case. We’ve got the memories.
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Croatia seals World Cup bronze-bearing Morocco by 2-1
Modric made his international debut in the same game in which Messi scored his first international goal in 2006. Four of his five Champions League victories came alongside – or perhaps in support of – Cristiano Ronaldo. Those colossal icons made little room for others. But Modric has eventually earned his place at the top of the next tier of heroes. His performances in Russia in 2018 earned him the World Cup’s Golden Ball and helped him become the decade’s only other man to win the Ballon d’Or.
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Four years later, his legacy has grown, and his admiration is now universal. Modric has added another Champions League victory to his tally, whereas Messi and Ronaldo have not. He’s carved out his own space, and those quality moments become even more precious as the end approaches. Outside-of-the-boot passes, peripheral vision to pick out other players’ runs, the ability to control rhythm and tempo, slowing and speeding up games. It was all here. Modric has thoroughly enjoyed the World Cup. And the World Cup has taken a shine to him.
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Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic believes Modric will be able to play until 2024 after praising his performance in Qatar. He’s our captain, our big boss,” he explained. He performed admirably in this tournament. He’s 37 years old, but he played like he was 20/25. He’s our boss. Everyone is following him. This trophy is for Luka Modric, who deserves it. He did an excellent job. Some believe this is the end, but I think he will remain in Croatia for a long time.
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We did an excellent job tonight and throughout the World Cup. Bronze is a gold medal for us. We competed in a difficult tournament. Morocco followed in the footsteps of Russia. I am incredibly proud and pleased. Perhaps no one expected us to do it again. We are a small country with big dreams.
Morocco’s president, Walid Regragui, stated: “We wanted to bring joy to our fans, but we’re still pleased that we’re one of the world’s top four teams. We never gave up and always put on a good show for everyone. Croatia should be proud of their third-place finish. We are a young team that is still figuring things out. Sure, I’m disappointed by our second consecutive loss, but we did everything we could. Physically, it was difficult; our players became tired, and the game was intense. We simply wanted to make the fans even more proud than they already were.
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