The bronze medal will likely be awarded on the 2022 World Cup this afternoon as two acquainted opponents collide within the third-place play-off in Doha. It is a match that nobody ever desires to compete in, because it inevitably means you’ve gotten seen your desires of creating the ultimate crushed in agonising trend. That’s certainly the case for each Croatia and Morocco, although each nations can nonetheless be extremely happy with their respective journeys in Qatar to this point.
2018 finalists Croatia proceed to defy the chances with exceptional match performances and might match their illustrious 1998 cohort by wrapping up third place as we speak. Morocco, in the meantime, are this yr’s World Cup heroes whatever the consequence of this recreation, having already made historical past as the primary African crew ever to achieve the semi-finals on soccer’s grandest stage.
Either side are coping with damage points as they bid to supply extra pleasure than witnessed within the goalless draw between these groups in Group F, with 5 and three modifications apiece within the beginning lineups. Observe Croatia vs Morocco reside beneath, with professional evaluation from Dan Kilpatrick, Simon Collings and Nizaar Kinsella at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium.
Reside updates
Fifa’s normal pre-match pyrotechnics full, the groups emerge from the tunnel on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium.
This floor has not been used in any respect for the reason that Netherlands’ last-16 victory over the US two weeks in the past on December 3.
Time for the nationwide anthems.
Nizaar Kinsella at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium
Not an excellent advert for the third-place play-off with solely 75 per cent of the seats on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium at present full.
David Beckham is watching on, although.
Nizaar Kinsella at Khalifa Worldwide Stadium
Morocco and Croatia are providing minutes to their subsequent generations but additionally taking part in sturdy sides.
Each groups have unsurprisingly made extra modifications than they’d for any earlier World Cup match on this match.
Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi are all taking part in, although.
The likes of 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannous and younger Croatian defensive duo Josip Stanisic and Josip Sutalo all begin.
Remaining preparations in Doha, together with a pleasant embrace between former Inter Milan team-mates Perisic and Hakimi.
Morocco milestones
A pleasant milestone for key Morocco stars Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi tonight.
Chelsea winger Ziyech can be set to earn his fiftieth senior cap for the Atlas Lions.
Simon Collings presents his pre-match ideas and response to that crew information from outdoors Khalifa Worldwide Stadium…
Morocco bench
In the meantime, Saiss, Ounahi and Aguerd are among the many Morocco substitutes as we speak, together with Bari ahead Walid Cheddira, who missed the semi-finals by way of suspension.
May we lastly see some minutes for QPR playmaker Ilias Chair this afternoon?
Subs: Aguerd, Saiss, Ounahi, Hamdallah, Zaroury, Mohamedi, Chair, Aboukhlal, Amallah, Ezzalzouli, Cheddira, Tagnaouti, Benoun, Jabrane
Croatia bench
Lovren, Brozovic, Sosa and Pasalic are all named as substitutes by Croatia this afternoon.
Subs: Barisic, Erlic, Lovren, Brozovic, Grbic, Vlasic, Pasalic, Petkovic, Budimir, Sosa, Vida, Juranovic, Ivusic, Sucic, Jakic
Either side make modifications
So modifications from each side as anticipated in Doha this afternoon.
5 in whole from Croatia, with Juranovic, Sosa, Lovren, Brozovic and Pasalic changed by Stanisic, Sutalo, Majer, Livaja and Orsic.
The injured Saiss and Mazraoui miss out as anticipated for Morocco together with influential midfielder Ounahi, with Attiat-Allah, Sabiri and El Khannouss getting the nod.
No Aguerd once more for Morocco both.
Beginning lineups
Croatia XI: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo, Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric, Marko Livaja, Mislav Orsic, Andrej Kramaric
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Achraf Dari, Jawad El Yamiq, Yahya Attiat-Allah, Bilal El Khannouss, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Sofyan Amrabat, Hakim Ziyech, Soufiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri
