Croatia vs. Morocco: "We have to fight for third," Dalić says after failed bid for back-to-back World Cup finals.

After an embarrassing defeat at the semi-finals, the Checkered Ones take on the Atlas Lions in Saturday’s third-place play-off clash, having failed to make back-to-back appearances at the FIFA World Cup final. Croatia vs. Morocco kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Saturday, December 17, at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Croatia were swept away by a Messi-inspired Argentina following a 3-0 defeat to the White & Sky Blue on Tuesday. The Checkered Ones failed to replicate the inspiring form seen against Brazil, conceding twice in five minutes after goals from Julián Álvarez (39’ & 69’) - who eventually bagged a brace - and Lionel Messi (34’ P.). "Perhaps this is the end of the generation of the World Cups," Zlatko Dalić said after seeing his side fail to reach back-to-back FIFA World Cup finals. Croatia are now looking to settle for third place when they make their final appearance in Qatar. "Now [we] have to fight for third," Dalić said. The last time the Checkered Ones [WDDDL] took part in a FIFA World Cup third-place play-off match was in their debut appearance in 1998 after they lost to host country France [1-2] at the semi-finals. Croatia then defeated the Netherlands, 2-1 on July 11, 1998, following goals from Rosinečki (13’) and Davor Šuker (36’). The Blazers have kept a clean sheet in all three previous World Cup meetings with African countries, defeating Cameroon 4-0 in 2014 and Nigeria 2-0 in 2018, while picking up a goalless draw with Morocco on Match Day 1 in Qatar. Petković failed to return to the starting line-up against La Albiceleste, with Dalić preferring Mario Pašalić, Andrej Kramarić, and Ivan Perišić at the attacking end of the 4—3—3. He is expected to keep the trio in place for Saturday’s clash against Morocco.

Despite a valiant display, the Atlas Lions were subdued by holders France in Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final clash following a 2-0 loss to Les Bleus. Theo Hernández (5’) put France in front with an acrobatic finish past the onrushing Bono. But unlike Croatia, Morocco put up a fight worthy of a semi-final place, coming close on a few occasions but lacking the required finish to draw level. Nifty footwork from Mbappe saw him weave through a forest of legs before his attempt on goal was deflected and tucked away by Randal Kolo Muani (79'), who was only forty-four seconds old on the pitch having come off the bench. "The most important thing is to have shown a good face," Walid Regragui said after failing to see his side become the first African country in a World Cup final. A European nation has won this fixture in the last 10 episodes, but the Atlas Lions [WWDWL] are looking to break the ten-time jinx as the farthest-reaching African nation at the World Cup. Walid Regragui dropped the familiar 4—3—3 for a defensive 5—4—1 against France with Youssef En-Nesyri in attack. However, he is expected to revert to the former, with Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech forming part of the attacking trio.