CONGRATULATIONS Croatia won third place at the World Cup in Qatar!

(Patria) - The Croatian national football team won third place at the World Cup in Qatar, after defeating Morocco 2:1 today. For the Vatreni, this was their second bronze and third medal at the tournament of the world's greatest national teams. Previously, in 2018, they won silver after losing to France in the final in Russia, while in 1998 in France, they also finished third.

Both Croatia and Morocco are considered sensations of this year's World Cup in Qatar, especially Morocco, which became the first African country to reach the semi-finals. They were chasing historic bronze, but Croatia was superior and won 2:1.

The Vatreni took the lead after only seven minutes of play. After a great and well-rehearsed free-kick routine, Perišić headed the ball to Gvardiol, and the talented centre-back scored a great header into Morocco's net.

Croatia's lead did not last long, as Achraf Dari scored the equalizer in the ninth minute. The ball was delivered from a free-kick, Majer headed it, but only directed it in a high arc towards the goal, allowing Dari to get to it before Livaković and bring his team back into the match.

After that goal, Croatia dominated, although Morocco also had some dangerous attacks.

The third and final goal of the match came in the 42nd minute and was one of the most beautiful of the tournament. Mislav Oršić, after an assist from Marko Livaja, scored a beautiful curling shot from the left side off the post, which turned out to be the winning goal for the Vatreni.

The second half of the match did not bring any goals, although there were close calls. Morocco had their best chance to equalize in the 75th minute, but Livaković saved En-Nesyri's shot.

Kovačić could have sealed Morocco's fate in the 87th minute, but the Chelsea midfielder, from just ten meters out and slightly to the left, mishit the ball with his left foot, sending it wide of the goal.

Morocco went all out in the remainder of the match, but Croatia's defense was solid, unlike in their recent match against Argentina, and stopped Ziyech and his teammates.

Croatia is celebrating yet another medal, and the highlight of their tournament was their victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals on penalties. They eliminated the Japanese in the round of 16 in the same way, while they were defeated 3:0 by Argentina in the semi-finals.

They played Morocco in the group stage, and the score was 0:0. As for the African team, they can be very satisfied with the final outcome of the World Cup. As major underdogs, they managed to eliminate Spain and Ronaldo's Portugal, but France proved too strong on their path to the final.