Croatia may have reached the “end of a cycle”, but their third place at the 2022 World Cup proves also they have a bright future, according to manager Zlatko Dalic.
The 2018 runners-up followed the country’s finest display at a global finals by taking the bronze in Qatar, when they defeated Morocco 2-1 in the third-place play-off on Saturday. Croatia triumphed through goals from by Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic.
Along the way to the medal, Dalic’s side defeated tournament favourites Brazil in the quarter-final, but could not get past Argentina in the last four on Tuesday.
"In any case, the last match we played - if you remember, I had said if we had lost, it would have been a disaster," Dalic told reporters after the Morocco victory.
"It was a difficult, a great match. I want to extend my congratulations to Morocco - they put up a great fight until the last minute, despite being exhausted.
"They can be proud; they remind me of us four years ago. We're among the best teams in the world."
Saturday’s match is expected to signal the end of a few World Cup careers among the current side, including the likes of 33-year-old centre-back Dejan Lovren.
Captain Luka Modric is 37, even if he and Dalic have said they both would continue through until Euro 2024. Croatia also have the final four of the Nations League to contest in June, with Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
"It's the end of a cycle for us, the end of a journey. Tonight's match and the win is the moment of the tournament for us," Dalic said. "Yes, this is the last World Cup for some of my players today due to their age.
"But we have young players in the team and it is great for Croatia. We have many of the players on the bench, too."
Dalic pointed to defender Gvardiol, aged 20 and potentially the young player of the tournament, 22-year-old defender Josip Stanisic, left-back Borna Sosa, 24, and midfielder Lovro Majer, also 24, as reason to believe Croatia are well set.
But the former Al Ain manager paid tribute to the older guard, saying: "We would not have been that far without our older players. We have a great future; Croatia has nothing to fear.
“Is it the end of an era for a generation? Well, we still have the Nations League and the Euro qualifiers. All I know is that Croatia have a bright future."
Croatia v Morocco player ratings
-
CROATIA RATINGS: Dominik Livakovic – 7. Arguably the keeper of the tournament, the Croatian made a key save in the second half to deny Morocco a second goal. AP -
Josip Stanisic – 7. The Bayern Munich defender displayed his attacking quality as well as his defensive ability, with several charges forward. AP -
Bosko Sutalo – 6. The 22-year-old centre-back made a number of interceptions, including a block to deny a low cross in the box reaching its target. AFP -
Joško Gvardiol – 8. One of Croatia’s stand-out players this tournament, the defender opened the scoring after seven minutes before a strong display largely kept Morocco’s attackers at bay. AP -
Ivan Perisic – 7. The veteran winger did well to set-up the first goal with a headed assist. He also drove his team forward several times before denying En-Nesyri at the other end. AP -
Lovro Majer – 7. Midfielder capitalised on several mistakes to help create chances. A good performance in the middle. AP -
Mateo Kovacic – 6. Chelsea’s midfield man missed a great chance from close range in the final minutes which would have killed the game. PA -
Luka Modric – 7. The Croatia captain dictated the play from his anchor role, putting in a great free-kick for his side’s first goal. He did allow Morocco’s equaliser to stand after he flicked the ball on to Dari, but he never looked tired and fought until the end. AFP -
Mislav Orsic – 8. The winger had a fabulous game as he bagged the winner with a stunning strike into the far top corner. He made great runs and created several chances for his side. EOA -
Andrej Kramaric - 6. Croatia’s target man wasn't at his peak and his best chance was a strong header which was caught well by Bounou. He was later forced off by injury in the second half. Reuters -
Marko Livaja – 5. The forward didn’t manage to create many chances and was taken off for Petkovic. AP -
SUBS: Nikola Vlasic (Kramaric 61')– 6. The attacker did well, but his biggest chance was fired over the bar after Amrabat gave the ball away. Reuters -
Mario Pasalic (Livaja 66') – 6. The former Chelsea man moved the ball well in the middle. Getty -
Bruno Petkovic (Majer 66') – 6. The tall striker held up the ball well in transition for Croatia, and became the target of several fouls. He made a good move late on, but his shot was blocked. AP -
Kristijan Jakic (Orsic 90') - N/A. Coming on with a minute to go, there was little involvement for the Frankfurt player. EPA -
MOROCCO RATINGS: Yassine Bounou – 6. One of the breakthrough names in this tournament, Morocco’s No 1 was unfortunate with the two goals he conceded. AFP -
Achraf Hakimi -7. The PSG star was an attacking source from wing-back. He created a number of chances, including nearly getting an assist in the first half. His defensive and passing play were very good. EPA -
Achraf Dari -7. Pulled his team level with a headed finish from a set-piece. However, he went down injured at the end of the first half and was replaced in the 64th minute. AFP -
Jawad El Yamiq - 6. The centre-back put in a good block to stop Kramaric getting the ball in the box. He was taken off late on due to an injury. AFP -
Yahia Attiat Allah – 6. Making his 10th appearance for his nation, the left-back displayed a good first touch on the wing. However, he occasionally got caught by the press and gave the ball away. Getty -
Sofyan Amrabat – 6. The Moroccan often dropped deep to get the ball before spreading it wide. He put in some strong tackles, but was guilty of giving the ball away with weak passes. Getty -
Abdelhamid Sabiri – 6. The Sampdoria midfielder showcased his good footwork in tight situations, keeping the ball close before laying it off to his attackers well. However, he was guilty of trying too hard at times, and subsequently losing the ball. EPA -
Bilal El Khannouss – 7. The 18-year-old midfielder made his international debut and showed his quality with some good drives forward, quick passing and skilful moves. It was a good outing for the youngster. AFP -
Hakim Ziyech – 7. The Chelsea star reminded everyone of his qualities with some slick passing along the right with Hakimi, as well as some brilliant switches across the park. His free-kick delivery led to his side’s goal. Getty -
Sofiane Boufal – 6. The former Southampton winger managed to find space along the wing as he created several chances, but his delivery was not always up to scratch. AFP -
Youssef En-Nesyri – 6. The 25-year-old had a number of chances, including a flashing header just wide from a tight angle. He even made sure to do his defensive duties on set-pieces. Getty -
SUBS: Ilias Chair (Sabiri 45') – 6. Replacing Sabiri at half time, the attacking midfielder made quite an impact, contributing some good tackles. Getty -
Azzedine Ounahi (Khannouss 56') – 5. After coming on in midfield, the Angers player played some good passes across the park and chased after everything, before being booked for talking back to the referee. Getty -
Badr Benoun (Dari 64') – 6. The 29-year-old won a number of tackles to stop Croatia on the attack. Getty -
Anass Zaroury (Boufal 64') – 6. Burnley’s 22-year-old attacker came on half way through the second half and kept the pressure on Croatia, with one press helping to dispossess the opposition in their defensive third. Reuters -
Selim Amallah (El Yamiq 67') – 5. The attacking midfielder played a more defensive role and picked up a yellow in the process. AP
Meanwhile, Modric was asked on Saturday night if he intends to continue in international football. The Real Madrid midfielder, who won his 162nd cap for Croatia, said: "That's the plan.
"It would be a nonsense not to play in the Nations League, and then we'll see how to proceed. I definitely want to stay for the Nations League."
On finishing third, Modric said: "We achieved something major for the Croatian football. We wanted the gold; we were close. In the end, we return to Croatia as winners.
“Croatia is not a miracle that appears every 20 years. We proved that we are constant, that we cannot be seen as dark horses but as a football power."
