Predictions Croatia vs Morocco – World Cup Third Place Playoff

Croatia vs Morocco | World Cup

17.12.2022 15:00

Prediction: 1-0

Saturday, December 17 is the penultimate act of the World Cup in Qatar; in fact, the final for third and fourth place will be played between Croatia and Morocco. The two teams were only eliminated in the semi-final by Argentina and France, respectively, Sunday’s finalists, after a long and excellent journey. The Croatians risked reaching the final for the second time in a row; in 2018, they were defeated by France, while the Atlas Lions brought an African national team up to this point in the World Cup for the first time in history. So it won’t be just a consolation challenge; both teams will want to win to get on the podium of the world championship. The match will be played at the Khalifa International Stadium and will be the second occasion on which the two teams will compete in this World Cup.

Croatia and Morocco have already faced each other in the first match of the group, drawing 0-0, a result that has allowed both to remain hooked on the qualification, which has then been conquered thanks to victories over Canada and on par with Belgium for the Croatians and a double success over them and the North Americans for the Moroccans. Dalic’s selection before the match against Argentina had managed to eliminate the favorite Brazil on penalties and one of the surprises of the first phase, Japan. The strength of the Croatians has always been the group in addition to its defensive organization; they scored only two passive goals before the collapse against Albiceleste.

A point of contact with the next opponents given that Morocco had arrived at the match against France with only one goal conceded, among other things an own goal in the match already closed with Canada. Amrabat and his teammates’ journey was extraordinary in the rounds following the group, with the elimination of Spain and Portugal and a national team, perhaps even a continent to dream big. The grand final hasn’t arrived, but public opinion and the very hot Moroccan fans in Qatar will certainly try to push the players towards success in a final, which for the Lions of the Atlas is not a consolation but a demonstration of having entered the heart of world football.

• Three of Croatia’s six matches at the World Cup have ended in goals from both sides.
• The Croatians have won eight of their last eleven matches, losing just one.
• Morocco have scored in three of their six World Cup matches.
• Croatia has conceded at least one goal in all of their matches in the qualifying rounds in Qatar.
• Four of the last seven official matches played by the Croatians ended with a goal.