Croatia have won the third place match at the 2022 Men’s World Cup, defeating Morocco 2-1 in Doha, Qatar, on SAT 17 DEC 2022.

The game opened at a high tempo, as both teams scored inside of ten minutes. From a free kick, the Blazers’ Ivan PERIŠIĆ headed the ball in to Joško GVARDIOL for another header that beat goalkeeper BONO. Morocco responded just two minutes later, as Achraf DARI scored on a header of his own. The decisive goal came in the 42nd minute, when Croatia’s Mislav ORŠIĆ fired in a powerful shot that rebounded in off the far post.

It is Croatia’s third finish in the top three since declaring independence in 1991. The Atlas Lions’ fourth place finish is a new high water mark for CAF teams, who had previously never advanced beyond the quarterfinals.