Morocco vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction today
Morocco 0-0 Croatia: The Group F clash ended goalless with Luka Modric and co frustrated at the Al Bayt Stadium
Croatia‘s bid to emulate their World Cup exploits of four years ago began in stuttering fashion with a frustrating Group F stalemate against Morocco. The 2018 runners-up controlled possession at Al Bayt Stadium but lacked a cutting edge in a forgettable 0-0 draw against opposition with just two World Cup victories in their history.
Nikola Vlasic went close to an opener in first-half added time, while Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened winners for Morocco in the second period. The result leaves both sides with hope of reaching the knockout stages - albeit with plenty to do - in a group also containing Belgium and Canada. Croatia‘s starting XI contained five players who were involved in their 4-2 World Cup final defeat to France in Russia, including influential captain Luka Modric.
Manager Zlatko Dalic also remained from that match in Moscow and saw his side struggle to create in a tight, uninspiring opening period largely devoid of clear openings. Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic lashed narrowly over from distance, while Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech wastefully fired a well-positioned free-kick straight into the wall at the other end.Croatia saved their best first-half attempts for added time.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was finally tested when he repelled a close-range poke from Vlasic with a thigh, before Modric smashed over just before the whistle. Walid Regragui only took charge of the Atlas Lions three months before the tournament and was yet to see his new side concede a goal.
They remained resilient at the back after the restart and also improved from an attacking perspective, with Bayern Munich full-back Mazraoui, who was later stretchered off injured, seeing a header pushed away by Dominik Livakovic. Paris St Germain defender Hakimi then had a superb long-range effort denied by Croatia keeper Livakovic after being teed up by Ziyech at a free-kick before the contest faded away into the third goalless draw in the competition’s last four games. Croatia continue their campaign against Canada on Sunday afternoon, with Morocco facing Belgium earlier that day.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
59 mins: Mazraouri doesn’t look able to continue here, he’s limping around and then finally goes over on the pitch.
The Moroccan left back was looking to get on the end of Lovren’s block a few minutes ago, heading tamely goalwards. Maybe a problem with his side...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
56 mins: Noussair Mazraoui was the man down. He looks set to come back on.
That Lovren handball may also have been outside the box, in which case VAR couldn’t get involved!
Back underway.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
53 mins: Croatia’s inswinging corner from Modric is glanced on from Perisic, but Yassine Bounou gets a hand to it - with the ball then further cleared.
A Morocco player now down injured...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
51 mins: As soon as I say that...
Boufal has a shot from distance which looks to have struck Dejan Lovren on the arm! No penalty awarded from the Argentine referee; replays show Lovren was turning away so it would’ve been harsh.
Meanwhile, Hakimi does well to head clear at the back post for Morocco...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
50 mins: Croatia really struggling to get out of their half here, with Morocco closing down brilliantly.
Unfortunately, the African side yet to fashion a clear opening...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
45 mins: Bizarre start to the half with Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat late to emerge to the pitch.
Waiting for around a minute for the midfielder to emerge! And now we are back underway!
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
SECOND-HALF: Croatia making a substitution at half-time; Vlasic does come off, replaced by Mario Pašalić.
Vlasic did receive treatment at the end of that first-half.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
HALF-TIME: Even stevens at the break in Al Khor, in a game which has struggled to really take off!
Morocco looked lively early on but mellowed as the half went on, with Croatia having their two best chances right at the end thorugh Vlasic and Modric!
Goalless at the interval!
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
45+2 mins: So close from Luka Modric!
The ball breaks to the Croatia captain on the edge of the but his powerful shot with his left foot is just over the bar!
Should’ve hit the target.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
45 mins: Big save from Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou!
Croatia play the ball nicely down the left and Vlasic is first to the cross at the near post... but the keeper makes himself big and saves well!
Two minutes of added time, unusually normal...
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