FIFA WC 2022 | Croatia vs Morocco Preview & Prediction | H2H | Lineup

After disappointing defeats in the semifinal of the FFIA World Cup semifinals, the battle to decide the bronze medal will take center stage as Croatia and Morocco go head-to-head in the third-place playoff.

The fairytale run that had seen both teams remain unbeaten until now was brought to an end at the semifinal stage as both Croatia and Morocco now battle for a place on the podium on Saturday (December 17).

Croatia vs Morocco Head to Head

This will be the second meeting between the sides at the FIFA World Cup 2022 having earlier met in the group stage. Not many would have expected these two to meet at the business end of the tournament, but they have made their respective nations proud. While Morocco enjoyed a dream run until the semifinal, it was normal service routine for Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2022.

The teams have met only on two occasions; with the only meeting before the tournament coming in December 1996 when Croatia beat Morocco on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Hassan II Trophy. The group stage meeting finished goalless as Morocco went on to win the group ahead of the European giants.

Croatia vs Morocco Head to Head

FIFA World Cup 2022 so far

Croatia needed some hard-fought battle to get into the next round as they got the better of Belgium and Canada in the group stage. With goalless draws against Morocco and Belgium and a win against Canada, they booked their place in the knockout stage as Group F runners-up. 

They then got the better of Japan in the penalty shootout which was then followed by a spectacular win against Brazil, again in penalty shootout. However, their journey was then curtailed by Argentina who knocked them out in the semifinal stage.

Morocco on the flip side also started their World Cup journey against Croatia and since the goalless draw have been engaged in some giant-killing act in the form of Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. The African side, the first to reach the semifinal of the FIFA World, beat Belgium 2-0 in the group stage and followed that with a penalty shootout win against Spain and a 1-0 win against Portugal in the quarterfinal. The journey was then cut short by defending champions France who beat them 0-2 in the semifinal.

Croatia's Journey so far

Matchday 1: Croatia 0-0 Morocco

Matchday 2: Croatia 4-1 Canada

Matchday 3: Croatia 0-0 Belgium 

Round of 16: Croatia 1-1 Japan - Croatia Winner on penalties (3-1)

Quarterfinals: Croatia 1-1 Brazil - Croatia Winner on penalties (4-2)

Semifinals: Argentina 3=0 Croatia

Morocco’s Journey so far:

Matchday 1: Croatia 0-0 Morocco

Matchday 2: Morocco 2-0 Belgium

Matchday 3: Morocco 2-1 Canada 

Round of 16: Spain 0-0 Morocco - Morocco Winner on penalties (3-0)

Quarterfinals: Morocco 1-0 Portugal 

Semifinals: France 2-0 Morocco

World Cup Record

Croatia

Morocco

Croatia vs Morocco Predicted Lineup

Croatia (4-3-3): 

Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic 

Morocco (4-3-3):

Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Amrabat, Ounahi, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal

Croatia vs Morocco Date, kick-off time, and venue

The FIFA World Cup 2022 Third-Place Playoff encounter on Saturday, December 17 will kick-off at 8:30 PM IST, 6:00 PM Local Time 

Venue 

Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan

Prediction