• 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Selim Amallah (El Yamiq 67') – 5. The attacking midfielder played a more defensive role and picked up a yellow in the process. AP

World Cup

Croatia v Morocco player ratings: Gvardiol 8, Modric 7; Hakimi 7, Ziyech 7

Croats rise to the occasion again to claim third place prize at 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Harry McBain

December 18, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Croatia beat injury-hit Morocco 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday to leave Qatar on a high after again surpassing expectations following their run to the final in 2018.

Despite defeat, Morocco also leave with heads aloft after becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final.

Mislav Orsic's late first-half strike was enough to settle the contest after two goals inside the first nine minutes set the tone for a pulsating encounter, Achraf Dari cancelling out Josko Gvardiol's opener for Croatia.

A bronze medal may have served as nothing more than consolation after both sides endured disappointment in the semi-finals, but Croatia and Morocco looked eager to make amends after losing to Argentina and France respectively.

Player ratings from the match can ben seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

Updated: December 18, 2022, 4:25 AM
World CupCroatiaMorocco