DOHA, Qatar – 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.
Beating two world-class teams in Argentina and France to reach the final proved to be a step too far for Croatia and Morocco, who handsomely defied pre-tournament odds to reach the semis.
Croatia forward Andrej Kramari’c dispelled the notion it would be a meaningless contest at 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.
“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,” he added avvording to AP.
Morocco defied the odds to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. 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 their life,” Kramaric said.
Morocco rewrote history along the way when Walid Regragui’s fearless squad became the first African team to reach the last four of football’s showpiece event.
They will be welcomed home as heroes regardless of the result having not only earned the respect and support of the continent and the Arab world, but also having found a place in the hearts of neutral fans who love a true underdog story.
“It will be difficult on a mental level. I will give opportunities to those who did not play and we will try to clinch third place,” Regragui said according to Reuters.
“The important thing is that we presented a good look to our team and that football in Morocco is not far from the top level.”
For 2018 runners-up Croatia, reaching a second consecutive final looked unlikely when it won just one group game.
But through sheer graft and tenacity, two penalty shootout wins over Japan and favorites Brazil earned it a semifinal match with Argentina, where an in-form Lionel Messi was the architect of their destruction.
“Realistically speaking, before the start of the tournament, we would all have accepted reaching the semi-finals. However, we started to dream about the trophy,” Croatia midfielder Lovro Majer said.
“Still, we will give everything we’ve got on Saturday and try to win the bronze medal.”
For Croatia it represented an opportunity missed to crown their golden generation of players, with coach Zlatko Dalic confirming most of them will not play in the next World Cup.
“I told the players they need to keep their heads up, be proud of giving their maximum and be ready, we must prepare to fight for third place,” Dalic said.
“There is no blame on our guys; I congratulate them for everything they’ve done at this World Cup. Now we have to get up, dust ourselves off and try to win the bronze medal.”
Saturday’s Fixture
France vs Morocco 5:00pm CLT
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