West Ham's Nayef Aguerd is on the bench, with former Wolves defender Romain Saiss out with injury. Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech replaces Saiss as captain for the night. "Croatia are trying to match their third place of 1998, while Morocco aim to become the first African nation to win a medal at a World Cup. It would be great to see them go toe-to-toe. France's early goal brought the best performance of their tournament out of Walid Regragui's men. This tournament is due another ding-dong of a game. Hopefully this is it.
He described referee Daniele Orsato as 'a disaster' after the game. Will he take his anger out on Morocco today and lead his side to third place? Croatia bowed out of the competition in the semi-finals after suffering a 3-0 defeat on Tuesday, but the decision to award Argentina a penalty for their opening goal has sparked fierce debate. 11:31 How can you watch today's match? Today's game is on BBC One, and can also be streamed on the BBC iPlayer. Kick-off is at 3pm (UK time), with the game taking place at the Khalifa International Stadium. 11:19 Croatia almost pull off 2018 repeat Croatia went all the way to the final in 2018, breaking English hearts along the way. Not many expected them to get as far this time, but having sneaked through their group by the skin of their teeth they then knocked out Japan and Brazil on penalties.
Croatia: the story so far Croatia are 90 minutes away from finishing third - following up their second-place finish at Russia 2018 - but they have only won one game inside 90 minutes at these finals. Morocco 0-0 Croatia (Group F) Croatia 4-1 Canada (Group F) Croatia 0-0 Belgium (Group F) Japan 1-1 Croatia* (Last 16) Croatia* 1-1 Brazil (Quarter-Final) Argentina 3-0 Croatia (Semi-Final) Live from Khalifa International Stadium Our man in prime position this afternoon, and he's been in touch to give us the team news as we build-up to kick-off: "The atmosphere is building nicely here at the Al Khalifa International Stadium for the match that no-one wants, allegedly.
What channel is Croatia vs Morocco? Kick-off time, TV and live
"Croatia have made five changes from their semi-final defeat by Argentina. Among those staying in is Luka Modric, for what will surely be his last World Cup match. Even if his 37-year-old body wasn't tired from anchoring his country's latest bid for glory, you can be fairly sure that Zlatko Dalic will substitute him at some point in order for the crowd to pay its respects. "Morocco, despite all the talk of injuries and being on their last legs, field eight of those who started the semi against France.
Croatia vs Morocco Live Score and Live Stream - ScoreBat
" Modric makes his final bow It may not be the game he hoped to finish with, but Luka Modric will bow out of World Cup folklore today by breaking records. At 37, the Real Madrid midfielder will become the oldest outfielder to play in as many as seven games at a single finals. Only goalkeepers Dino Zoff, in 1982, and Peter Shilton in 1990 have previously reached the milestone. However, coach Zlatko Dalic has failed to rule out out his captain featuring in one more international tournament with Euro 2024 just 18 months away. "I hope that he will be there, " he said.
As we wait for today's team news to come through, it seems an appropriate time to remind you that the final is only just over 24 hours away. Argentina will meet France tomorrow, with both sides looking to win the World Cup for the third time. It should be a cracker, with kick-off at 3pm (UK time) at the Lusail Stadium. Who will come out on top between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe tomorrow? 13:29 Croatia just arriving at the stadium... 13:23 Team news shortly... We should receive today's starting line-ups within the next half hour, with kick-off now just over 90 minutes away. 13:16 Players out on the pitch ahead of kick-off Some of the Morocco players are already out on the pitch assessing conditions as the countdown to kick-off begins. 13:12 Parlour calls for Arsenal to sign Morocco midfield duo It has been a real team effort from Morocco at the World Cup, but a couple of players have still managed to stand out.
Modric looks to seal international career with a World Cup bronze medalLive BlogTHIRD VISION Updated: 9:37 ET, Dec 17 2022CROATIA and Morocco are set to battle it out in the dreaded World Cup third place play-off - and both managers have gone strong. Luka Modric is set to captain the side for the final time on the big stage and he'll be partnered by Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic. On the opposite side, Achraf Hakimi will no doubt be using his blistering pace on the wing to overlap his skipper, Hakim Ziyech. Kick-off: 3pm GMT Live stream: BBC iPlayer TV channel: BBC One Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Perisic; Modric, Kovacic; Kramaric, Majer, Orsic; Livaja Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Dari, El Yamiq, Attiat-Pallah; El Khannouss, Amrabat, Sabiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal Get £40 in free bets & bonuses when staking £10 with 888Sport Follow ALL the action with our live blog below...
Croatia vs Morocco live stream and how to watch the 2022
Their semi-final against Argentina was a step too far as they were comfortably beaten, but it has still been an excellent tournament for the European side, and they will want to finish with a win for Luka Modric, who looks set to bid farewell to international football after this tournament. Today's match could be the final game of Luka Modric's glittering international career 11:14 Morocco's historic run What a journey it has been for Morocco. Very few people expected them to even make it out of the group, but after seeing off Belgium, they then beat Spain and Portugal to become the first African nation to make the semi-finals.
How to watch Croatia vs. Morocco in 2022 World Cup third
"I am looking forward to it. "It is quite certain that he will there be but he will personally decide how he feels. I personally feel that he will be, but ultimately it is his decision. " Croatia favourites for bronze medal The last meeting between these nations was deadlocked little more than three weeks ago, but the bookies are confident that Croatia will prevail in this afternoon's play-off: Croatia win 13/10 Draw 5/2 Morocco win 2/1 Only one previous third place play-off has gone to extra-time - and not one has gone to penalties - but if you fancy the safety net of outcomes beyond 90 minutes, these are the odds: Croatia to finish third 4/6 Morocco to finish third 11/10 And how about Luke Modric to sign off from his World Cup career with the first goal? The midfield magician is a 10/1 shot to open the scoring: Luka Modric to score first 10/1 Ivan Perisic to score first 15/2 Hakim Ziyech to score 10/1 Achraf Hakimi to score fist 14/1 Odds from Betfair correct at the time of post publication.
When is Croatia vs Morocco? TV channel, live - The US Sun
Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi have been exceptional in the midfield, and Ray Parlour wants his former club Arsenal to sign both players in January. Ray Parlour is convinced that Arsenal should sign Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi after their impressive performances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 13:00 Croatia fans ready to cheer on their team one last time in Qatar... 12:53 A glimpse inside today's dressing rooms... 12:35 More of the same from Croatia? Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has been reluctant to alter his starting XI too much during the tournament, relying heavily on the midfield trio of Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic, although Brozovic did go off injured on Tuesday night.
Luka Modric out on the pitch alongside team-mate Dejan Lovren ahead of kick-off 13:53 Morocco starting XI... Walid Regragui has named a much-changed line-up, with Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui and Ounahi all missing out on the starting line-up. 13:36 Croatia starting XI... Zlatko Dalic has decided to ring the changes for today's game. Lovren, Juranovic, Sosa, Brozovic and Pasalic drop to the bench, with Stanisic, Majer, Livaja, Orsic and Sutalo coming into the starting line-up. 13:35 Morocco looking relaxed ahead of kick-off 13:32 Coming up tomorrow...
Croatia have had an extra day to prepare than Morocco, and it appears likely that Dalic will pick a similar team to the one that has done well for him so far. Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic looks set to start in central midfield for Croatia once more 12:26 Morocco's injury concerns... It has been a gruelling tournament for Morocco, with the team picking up plenty of injuries along the way. Nayef Aguerd withdrew from the starting line-up shortly before kick-off on Wednesday, while captain Romain Saiss had to be replaced during the first half. Manager Walid Regragui has revealed he will have to carefully assess his squad before deciding on what team to put out today.
Croatia vs Morocco live stream: How to watch World Cup third
Croatia vs Morocco - World Cup: Live score, team news and updates14:39 Former team-mates reunited Ivan Perisic and Achraf Hakimi won Serie A together with Inter Milan in 2020-21. They have since gone their separate ways, but found time to catch up with one another ahead of kick-off. 14:31 Warm-ups are underway More fans arriving as we approach kick-off... 14:12 Morocco's depleted team The tournament appears to have taken its toll on Morocco, who have been forced into a number of changes today. They are without three of their first-choice back four, and Ounahi will be a big miss in midfield. Will they still have enough to pull off one final shock? 13:59 Modric starts in his World Cup swansong Luka Modric will start today in what is almost certain to be his final World Cup match. He has been an unbelievable servant to Croatian football, and will be desperate to go out with a win this afternoon.
Saiss misses out for Morocco Morocco (4-3-3): 1 Bono; 2 Hakimi, 20 Dari, 18 El Yamiq, 25 Attiat Allah; 23 El Khannouss, 4 Amrabat, 11 Sabiri; 7 Ziyech, 19 En-Nesyri, 17 Boufal Subs: 12 Mohamedi, 22 Tagnaouti, 5 Aguerd, 6 Saiss, 8 Ounahi, 9 Hamdallah, 10 Zaroury, 13 Chair, 14 Aboukhlal, 15 Ramallah, 16 Ezzalzouli, 21 Cheddar, 24 Benoun, 26 Jabrane Modric and Perisic start for Croatia Croatia (4-2-3-1): 1 Livakovic; 2 Stanisic, 24 Sutalo.
Romain Saiss went off in the first half of Wednesday's semi-final against France 12:15 Have Croatia and Morocco met before? Croatia and Morocco have met twice before, including in the group stage of this tournament! Their first encounter came in 1996 in the Hassan II Trophy. Croatia came out on top 7-6 on penalties after the two teams had played out a 2-2 draw.
FIFA World Cup 2022: Morocco vs. Croatia - FOX