Mon, Dec 23, 2024 | Jumada al-Aakhirah 22, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

Fifa World Cup: Croatia, Morocco target 'immortal' third-place medal in playoff

The Atlas Lions — who gave France a good battle but lost — will prove a fearsome opponent for the tournament finalists of 2018

Published: Fri 16 Dec 2022, 12:37 PM

  • By
  • AP

Top Stories

Photo: AP

Photo: AP

The chances of the winning the World Cup might have gone for Croatia and Morocco, but “immortality” is at stake when the two teams meet in Saturday’s third-place playoff.

Croatia forward Andrej Kramarić dispelled the notion it would be a meaningless contest at the Khalifa International Stadium.


“I think if you ask this question to Moroccan players, I don’t think they will look that way," he said at a news conference on Thursday.

“They’re fighting for their lives because if you win a medal at a World Cup you become an immortal hero in your country. That’s the same thing we are going to do.”

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

Morocco defied the odds to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals, but the Atlas Lions' run came to an end with a 2-0 loss to defending champions France on Wednesday.

Croatia reached the final in Russia in 2018, but suffered a 3-0 loss to Argentina on Tuesday.

“Eight of us from [the tournament in] Russia understand that feeling of winning a medal at the World Cup and we have a lot of players who haven’t experienced that and would love to do that because it’s something that will stay with you for the rest of your life,” Kramaric said.

ALSO READ:



Next Story