World Cup 2018 runners-up Croatia made a frustrating start to their Group F campaign as a resolute Morocco secured a 0-0 draw in Al Khor.
Match Report
It was the third goalless draw at this winter's tournament in the space of 24 hours, and chances were at a premium with both defences on top.
There were just attempts on target from both teams in a match played in searing desert heat despite the best efforts of the air-conditioned Al Bayt Stadium, 50km north of Doha.
Morocco have proved to be one of the most difficult sides to beat in world football of late, and have now lost just two of their last 41 games across a three-year spell, while Croatia extended their own unbeaten run to seven games in a game that will not live long in the memory.
What does the result mean?
Group F also contains a Belgium side ranked second in the world and a Canada team playing in their first World Cup since 1986. Those two nations face each other later on Wednesday in the other game on matchday one.
Croatia face Canada on Sunday November 27; kick-off 4pm. Victory could secure their progress to the round of 16.
Morocco take on Belgium earlier on the same day at 1pm knowing they too could take a big step towards qualification with three points.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
16' CHANCE! Perisic's shot over the bar
18' Modric's foul
37' Foul from Amrabat
45' Bounou makes a great save!
52' Bounou makes a great save!
59' Injured! Mazraoui is stretchered off
77' Yellow Card! Amrabat booked
Line-ups
Morocco XI: Bounou, Saiss, Boufal, Ziyech, Amrabat, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Selim Amallah, Hakimi, En-Nesyri, Azzedine Ounahi
Subs: Munir, Abderrazak Hamdallah, A. Tagnaouti, Badr Benoun, Ilias Chair, El Yamiq, A.Sabiri, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Anass Zaroury, Yahya Jabrane, Achraf Dari, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Walid Cheddira, Ez Abde, Bilal El Khannouss
Croatia XI: Modric, Perisic, Lovren, Kramaric, Brozovic, Kovacic, D. Livaković, Borna Sosa, Vlasic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol
Subs: Budimir, D. Vida, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja, Pasalic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic, Petkovic, Borna Barisic, Martin Erlic, Kristijan Jakic, Lovro Majer, Josip Stanisic, Luka Sucic, Josip Sutalo
JoyNg
165
▶ Zidane at 37 years old: Was retired. ▶ Xavi at 37 years old: Played in Qatar. ▶ Gerrard at 37 years old: Played in MLS. ▶ Pirlo at 37 years old: Played in MLS. ▶ Lampard at 37 years old: Played in MLS. ▶ Iniesta at 37 years old: Played in Japan. .......... Luka Modric at 37 years old: undisputed starter in Real Madrid and leads Croatia at World Cup! 🇭🇷👏 Put some RESPECT to the MAGICIAN name🙌💕💜🐐
TemajungMichaelT
118
African teams trying their best not to lose after seeing Senegal losing her first match....
kugesuon
71
Luka Modric is the first player to play in both the Euros and World Cup in three different decades: World Cup: 2006 2014 2018 2022 Euros: 2008 2012 2016 2020
Mgildas
69
another point for Africa, congratulation Morocco, tomorrow Cameroon 🇨🇲 is taking all 3 points from Switzerland
flessco
47
when we say there are useless players, this is one of them
eggosa91
41
EUROPE tasting AFRICA will be like 👇😂💔
Hansonid007
34
I have a strong comment but I don’t trust my English
Mustafa-Khan
32
What a player
1barcaspurs
30
meanwhile bruno and cr5 love playing on thursday
bluesgay
26
Gif here. Like me: http://www.goalgif.xyz/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=53374399&language=en
tiyikprtyz
13
when we say there are useless players, this is one of them
[image]
You judge a player from 20 mins of playtime. Don't forget he came from an injury and he is barely 21 years old and playing his first WC. if he was useless, do you think he would have played with Barcelona?
kateperry1
8
me waiting for an African team to score in the world cup