Morocco vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction today
Morocco 0-0 Croatia: The Group F clash ended goalless with Luka Modric and co frustrated at the Al Bayt Stadium
Croatia‘s bid to emulate their World Cup exploits of four years ago began in stuttering fashion with a frustrating Group F stalemate against Morocco. The 2018 runners-up controlled possession at Al Bayt Stadium but lacked a cutting edge in a forgettable 0-0 draw against opposition with just two World Cup victories in their history.
Nikola Vlasic went close to an opener in first-half added time, while Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened winners for Morocco in the second period. The result leaves both sides with hope of reaching the knockout stages - albeit with plenty to do - in a group also containing Belgium and Canada. Croatia‘s starting XI contained five players who were involved in their 4-2 World Cup final defeat to France in Russia, including influential captain Luka Modric.
Manager Zlatko Dalic also remained from that match in Moscow and saw his side struggle to create in a tight, uninspiring opening period largely devoid of clear openings. Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic lashed narrowly over from distance, while Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech wastefully fired a well-positioned free-kick straight into the wall at the other end.Croatia saved their best first-half attempts for added time.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was finally tested when he repelled a close-range poke from Vlasic with a thigh, before Modric smashed over just before the whistle. Walid Regragui only took charge of the Atlas Lions three months before the tournament and was yet to see his new side concede a goal.
They remained resilient at the back after the restart and also improved from an attacking perspective, with Bayern Munich full-back Mazraoui, who was later stretchered off injured, seeing a header pushed away by Dominik Livakovic. Paris St Germain defender Hakimi then had a superb long-range effort denied by Croatia keeper Livakovic after being teed up by Ziyech at a free-kick before the contest faded away into the third goalless draw in the competition’s last four games. Croatia continue their campaign against Canada on Sunday afternoon, with Morocco facing Belgium earlier that day.
France begin World Cup defence with 4-1 win over Australia
“A striker who was supposed to be dispensable now has only one equal. That’s the story of Olivier Giroud, who just keeps going, and keeps scoring. The 36-year-old finally got the goal he didn’t in 2018 to claim his first in the World Cup in eight years before quickly following it with another.
“That made it 4-1 to France against Australia and was also the 51st goal of his international career, to match Thierry Henry’s record. Giroud may well surpass that in this tournament, a World Cup he wasn’t even expected to start in. This was precisely why Karim Benzema’s injury wasn’t seen as anything close to a disaster by the French, despite his immense quality.
“They’d already won a World Cup with Giroud and, far from the Real Madrid player taking them to another level, the belief is that the team just works better with the Milan striker. He links it all together. Kylian Mbappe certainly enjoys playing with him.
“As regards levels, the reality of this game was that a plucky but hugely limited Australia just couldn’t get close to France.” Miguel Delaney’s match report from Qatar, as France began their World Cup defence with a victory over Australia:
France just reminded the World Cup why they are defending champions
France 4-1 Australia: Olivier Giroud enjoyed a record night and his partnership with the electric Kylian Mbappe gave Les Bleus a familiar look
Germany vs Japan: TEAM NEWS
We move swiftly on to Germany vs Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium!
Team news:
Germany: Neuer; Schlotterbeck, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Havertz
Japan: Gonda; Sakai, Itakura, Yoshida, Ito, Nagatomo; Endo, Tanaka; Kubo, Kamada, Maeda
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
FULL-TIME: Goalless at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Two teams who very simply cancelled each other out. No clear-cut chances to speak of either, both sides very solid in their shape.
Morocco will be the happier, while Croatia were a tad lacklustre. No repeat of 2018 when they won all three World Cup games.
Onto Belgium vs Canada in Group F later on at 7pm...
France defender Lucas Hernandez ruled out of rest of World Cup
Lucas Hernandez has become the latest France player to be ruled out of the World Cup.
The Bayern Munich defender was forced off in the first half of Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Australia and subsequent scans have shown a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.
It means Hernandez will be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and play no further part in the holders’ attempts to defend their World Cup title in Qatar.
The left back was replaced by brother Theo against Australia.
More details here:
France defender Lucas Hernandez out of World Cup with knee injury
Didier Deschamps was already without five high-profile players in Qatar due to injury
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
90+3 mins: Morocco dominant in the last few minutes but Croatia holding firm - Ziyech loses the ball before lunging in on Modric.
Heading for a point apiece here...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
90 mins: Six minutes of time added on - could we have some late drama?
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
89 mins: A late change for Croatia: Perisic OFF, Orsic ON.
Not quite been the Tottenham man’s day in Al Khor.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
88 mins: There’s only been two shots on goal from each team, according to the FIFA statistics.
That, ladies and gents, rather sums up the match... how much added time will we get, however?
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
85 mins: Morocco bit more on the front-foot in this last few minutes, do they sense a winner is available here if they push on a bit more?
Ziyech still doing his best to be the playmaker in midfield. Into the last five (15) we go...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
81 mins: Modric whips it in from the right but it can only be harmlessly headed wide by Josko Gvardiol, who is penalised for climbing on a defender anyway.
Two subs for Morocco: En-Nesyri and Ounahi OFF, Hamdallah and Sabiri ON.
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