The dream of the Atlas Lions of Morroco to achieve a podium finish in the World Cup was thrown in to the bin on Saturday as they lost their third place final game to Croatia.
Both teams had come in to the match as wounded lions-having lost their semi-final games. Left with another opportunity to achieve a silverware, the Khalifa International stadium was subjected to another tough-soaked game with enthusiastic fans also cheering from the stands.
The intensity of the game announced itself when Josko Gvardiol headed in the opener for the Croatian in the seventh minutes of the game. That lead would be momentary as Achraf Dari netted in the leveler from a free kick 112 seconds minutes later.
However, a 42nd minute exquisite finish from Orsic whose deflected efforts went past Yassine Bounou would proved ultimate as the Croatian went on to win the loser’s final.
While the Moroccans would leave the tournament with their head high he wake of their historic achievement, the Croatian also seemed compensated for their constitency which is coming on the heel of their second place finish in the last edition of the world cup.
It was also a farewell moment for the Croatian legend, Modric who had earlier claimed that the outing is the last appearance in the mundial.