HALF-TIME. Morocco stands up to Croatia at the break! (0-0)
The Croats of Luka Modric do not find the solution against a generous Morocco in the effort and well organized. The partners of Hakim Ziyech, hard-hitting, even posed some concerns to the finalists of the 2018 World Cup, although too imprecise in the last 30 meters. The Vatreni had two big scoring situations at the end of the period, but Yassine Bounou was decisive. We still expect a little more spectacle in the second act, gentlemen!
45’+1 Modric hits above! (0-0)
While two extra minutes are announced by the fourth referee, the Croats finish very strong and Modric takes advantage of a badly returned ball to trigger a heavy shot above the bar!
45′ Huge situation, finally, for Croatia!! (0-0)
After a first exit far from his line of Bounou, the danger quickly returns with Croats mounted in number. From the left, Sosa crosses to the ground for Vlasic who cuts and resumes facing goal, Bounou is on parade with one leg!
44′ Vlasic is stronger than that
Eventually, Vlasic will grit his teeth. He found the lawn after benefiting from the miracles of the magic bomb at the edge of the field.
42′ Game interrupted, Vlasic touched?
Ziyech forcefully claims a foul by Brozovic near the Croatian corner post, his opponent does not play the ball at all. During this time, Vlasic remained on the ground, he seems to have muscle injuries.
40′ Stat’
This is Croatia’s sixth World Cup appearance. In the previous five, the Croatians have either been eliminated in the group stage (3 times) or reached at least the semi-finals (2 times, including the final in 2018).
37′ The counter for nothing of the Vatreni
Brozovic launches the counter from the central circle avoiding an opposing tackle. He sends a shallow pass to Vlasic on the right, who locks himself in but manages to cross. Without great danger for the Moroccan central defense.
33′ Few appetizing things to eat
We are still waiting for good opportunities in this match, which is rather padlocked by good defenses. We review the biggest situation so far, the Perisic mine.
30′ Modric sets foot
The 2018 Ballon d’Or repeats unusual fouls in midfield, as the Moroccans apply themselves to starting on the ground from behind. the Vatreni can no longer find offensive solutions, and are growing impatient.
27′ Hakimi makes you dizzy
If Modric is the hub of his team, the Croatian genius has been playing a little less in a chair for a few minutes and the rise of the Atlas Lions. The rises of the laterals, like Hakimi, pose concerns for the Croatian block which finds itself regularly unbalanced.
21′ Yellow card for Modric, free kick for nothing for Ziyech
Very dangerous free kick conceded by Modric, who receives a yellow after a big full axis sole 20 meters in front of his surface. Ziyech shoots from the left but curls his shot directly into the opposing wall.
19′ En-Nesyri misses his header
The Moroccan response will not have taken long on the right with a one-two well exploited by Ziyech, who sends a love from the center towards the far post. En-Nesyri seems in a good position to resume but misses the ball with a header.
17′ Perisic to me! (0-0)
Guilty loss of ball by Amrabat in his half of the field, which involuntarily serves Perisic. This one is not cold in the eyes and arms a big firecracker from the left which does not pass far above the crossbar of Bounou!
14′ The Atlas Lions gain confidence
The Moroccans have been better for a few minutes and manage to find some flaws in the opposing defense. After a header from En-Nesyri, Ziyech tries twice to strike, it is countered each time by a Croat.
9′ Morocco increases the intensity
The Atlas Lions are coming out of their shell a bit but are currently struggling to really approach Livakovic’s surface with the ball at their feet. While the Croats turn behind, Ziyech is not far from stealing the ball from Gvardiol but commits the fault.
6′ First corner for the Croats
The Moroccans are dominated and Saïss concedes a corner before haranguing his teammates to really enter their game. After a combination with Kovacic, Modric crosses at the far post on Gvardiol’s header. The ball sails dangerously into the area before being cleared.
4′ The expected start of the match
Modric’s teammates put their foot on the ball at the start of the game, not really a surprise. We expect the experienced Croatians rather in control against the young Atlas Lions, who put a lot of pressure on recovery.
1′ It’s off to Al-Khor! (0-0)
It was the Moroccans, in red, who kicked off this Group F match!
10:54
The hymns will ring out!
The players made their entrance on the lawn of the Al-Bayt stadium, accompanied by the referee of the meeting, the Argentinian Fernando Rapallini.
10:46
Modric once again transcended by the World Cup?
Still as virtuoso despite his 37 years, Luka Modric has lost some of his former physique but nothing in his ability to deliver caviar to his Real Madrid teammates. From the top of his 154 selections, the 2018 Ballon d’Or is Croatia’s essential player. Boss of the midfield, he is also responsible for converting penalties.
10:38
Group F promises to be exciting
With 4 wins in their last 4 games, Croatia secured their qualification for the Final Four of the League of Nations. Winners in particular of reigning world champion France (0-1) on the lawn of the Tricolores, the Croats showed that their aging generation could still shine. The Atlas Lions remain on 4 games without defeat, but to put into perspective given the level of their opponents (South Africa, Liberia, Chile and Paraguay). In such a strong pool, getting a place in the top two will necessarily require a feat, even if Canada seems within their reach.
10:34
Pressure mounts in Al-Khor
10:33
The Atlas Lions want to shine on the world stage
Eighth finalist of the 1986 World Cup, Morocco is one of the few African teams to have reached this stage of the competition. The Moroccan selection is today the second best ranked African team in the FIFA rankings (22nd), behind Senegal (18th). Morocco has only had a World Cup finals five times, the last of which was in 2018, driven by a generation that ended twenty years of scarcity.
10:27
A nice program this Wednesday
10:25
A Croatia full of experience
Unhappy finalists of the last World Cup in Russia, the Croats arrive in Qatar with a generation that is certainly aging but which will be able to rely on its experience. Many names were already there in 2018 and will once again participate in the World Cup. Among them, the 2018 Golden Ball Luka Modric, a true master of his selection. Surrounded by Kovacic and Brozovic, the Croatian star will wield a world-class midfielder.
10:21
The eleven of Croatia is known
Luka Modric is obviously a starter in a high-level midfield, with the Kovacic-Brozovic duo to accompany him. Former Lyonnais Dejan Lovren starts in central defense alongside the talented Josko Gvardiol.
10:19
The composition of Morocco has fallen
Star of his selection, Hakim Ziyech starts on the right wing, in the company of several known faces of Ligue 1, such as the Parisian Achraf Hakimi, the Angevin Sofiane Boufal or the former Rennais Nayef Aguerd.
10:08
Hi there !
And welcome to our site to follow live commentary on the match between Morocco and Croatia, counting for the first day of the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. Kick-off scheduled for 11 a.m.!