CROATIA and Morocco are set to battle TODAY in the one match that all teams participating in the World Cup hope to avoid – the third-place play-off.
Luka Modric and Co were the first team slip into the dreaded tie having fallen victim to a remarkable Argentina side inspired by Lionel Messi.
And they were joined by a history-making Moroccan side 24 hours later who lost their mouth-watering semi-final against France.
Their charistmatic boss Walid Regragui admitted: “I guess it is the worst game that we have to play.
“Obviously, we would have liked things to be different. We would like to have been in the actual final but there is a third place to play for. We want to be on the podium.
“Yes we are thinking about our Fifa ranking but it is quite difficult for us and also for you I guess as journalists because it is not really an important game is it, honestly speaking? We wanted to be in the final on Sunday, not tomorrow.”
England were comfortably beaten by Belgium in the 2018 third-place play-off edition as the Red Devils ensured a European team claimed the bronze medal for the tenth World Cup running.
But the 2022 World Cup final warm-up event is expected to be a tighter affair and SunSport has all the information needed.
How did they get here?
Just like in 2018, the two teams in the third-place play-off faced off in the group stages.
These two sides drew 0-0 in their opening game in Group F before both beating Canada.
Morocco topped the group by beating Belgium as Croatia had another goalless stalemate.
The Atlas Lions then stunned Spain and Portugal before eventually falling to France in the semis.
Croatia, meanwhile, scraped past Japan and stunned Brazil on penalties but were stopped by Argentina.
What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?
Morocco captain Romain Saiss will sit this one out having been risked at “60 to 70 per cent” for the France clash.
For Croatia, Marcelo Brozovic and Josko Gvardiol are minor doubts.
Brozovic was taken off against Argentina while Gvardiol is recovering from a foot injury.
Who will be the star men?
This match may well be Modric’s 162nd and final cap for Croatia – if not, then almost certainly his final piece of action at a World Cup.
Josip Juranovic has starred at right-back and put himself in the shop window, as has Dominik Livakovic and Morocco midfield pair Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi.
What’s the head to head?
This will be just their third meeting of all time.
The first was a 2-2 draw at the Hassan II Trophy in December 1996 before Croatia won the shootout 7-6.
Then came the 0-0 draw at the Al Bayt Stadium on November 23.
SunSport prediction
Croatia 0-0 Morocco (Croatia win on penalties)
When is Croatia vs Morocco?
- The World Cup third place play-off between Croatia and Morocco is taking place TODAY – December 17.
- It is expected to get underway from 3pm UK time
- Khalifa International Stadium in Doha is the allocated arena for this huge fixture and it can host approximately 45,000 spectators.
- Belgium beat England 2-0 in the 2018 third place play-off contest.
What TV channel is Croatia vs Morocco on and can it be live streamed?
- Croatia’s encounter against Morocco will be shown LIVE on BBC One in the UK.
- Coverage is set to commence from 2:30pm UK time – 30 minutes before kick-off.
- Viewers also have the option to stream the entire action through the BBC iPlayer app or BBC Sport website.
- You can listen to radio coverage of the match on talkSPORT – stream online, via smartphone apps or DAB radio.
Can the third-place play-off match be watched for free?
YES! The third place play-off encounter can be watched for FREE as long as you hold a valid TV license in the UK.
What are the odds?
Croatia win 13/10
Draw 12/5
Morocco victory 2/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair correct as of December 16.
Morocco were beaten by reigning champions France in the semi-final
