The chances of winning the World Cup might have gone for Croatia and Morocco, but “immortality” is at stake when the two teams meet in Saturday’s third-place playoff. Croatia forward Andrej Kramari dispelled the notion that the game at Khalifa International Stadium would be meaningless.
Croatia, Third-place medal at World Cup
Also Read: Croatia stun five-time world champions Brazil in the dramatic penalty shootout win (4-2 on pens)
I don’t think Moroccan players will look that way if you ask them that question,” he said at a news conference on Thursday. “They’re fighting for their lives because if you win a medal at a World Cup you become an immortal hero in your country. That’s exactly what we’re going to do. Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, defying the odds. The Atlas Lions’ run, however, came to an end on Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to defending champions France.
Also Read: Argentina 3-0 Croatia, as Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez fire Argentina into final
Moroco, Third-place medal at World Cup
Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final in Russia but was defeated 3-0 by Argentina on Tuesday. Eight of us from (the tournament in) Russia understand the feeling of winning a World Cup medal, and we have a lot of players who haven’t experienced it and would love to because it’s something that will stay with you for the rest of your life,” Kramaric said.