Morocco vs Croatia 0-0, another goalless match in FIFA World Cup 2022. World Cup 2018 runners-up Croatia made a frustrating start to their Group F campaign as a resolute Morocco secured a 0-0 draw in Al Khor.
Morocco vs Croatia 0-0 | FIFA World Cup 2022
It was the third goalless draw at this winter’s tournament in the space of 24 hours, and chances were at a premium with both defences on top. Indeed, three of the last four games at the World Cup have finished 0-0, more goalless draws than there were in the previous 73 matches in the competition combined.
Sources said:
“Croatia are perennially slow starters, having lost their opening game in three of their five World Cup appearances, with the exceptions being 1998 and 2018, when they reached the final.
“But against Morocco on Wednesday, it felt as if their emphasis was placed on playing not to lose.
“Dalic’s side are 12th in the FIFA rankings, 10 places above Morocco, but they cancelled each other out in this opening Group F contest. The Atlas Lions have only lost twice since the beginning on 2021 – once on penalties to Egypt in the African Cup of Nations – and it is clear to see why they are so hard to beat on this evidence.
“Croatia’s World Cup qualification was smooth and they topped their Nations League group ahead of France but having failed to score past Morocco, the bookmakers will feel vindicated in having them as outsiders in Qatar.
“Luka Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, said before kick-off it was important to respect Morocco, describing their players as phenomenal and highly motivated – yet he struggled to impose himself in a Croatia side that appears to be regressing.
“Their best moments predictably hinged on Modric, who was given the freedom of the park, floating effortlessly from back to front, with football’s traditional midfield roles seemingly not applying to Croatia’s captain. He dropped deeper and deeper but Croatia lacked spark.
“At 37, Modric remains a maestro in the Real Madrid midfield. He pledged he would bow out of the game if Croatia win the World Cup, but there was little indication from this stalemate to suggest that eventuality is likely.”
