Dec 15 (Reuters) – Croatia will play Morocco in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 1800 local (1500 GMT/1000 ET)
Where: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
Capacity: 45,857
Odds (after 90 minutes)
Croatia win: 11/8
Morocco win: 2/1
Draw: 5/2
Key stats:
* Morocco became the first Arab and African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals before losing 2-0 to France. Coach Walid Regragui also became the first Arab manager to lead a team to the knockout rounds.
* The two sides had met in their opening Group F match and played out a goalless draw.
* Croatia, runners-up in 2018, have played a third-place playoff once before. In 1998 they beat the Netherlands 2-1 to finish third in that World Cup.
* Morocco had not conceded a goal from an opposition player at the tournament before their semi-final defeat to defending world champions France.
* The ‘Atlas Lions’ are short on defenders after losing Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui to injury in their semi-final defeat.
Previous meetings:
Croatia and Morocco have met only twice before, including in this tournament’s group stage. Their only previous meeting prior to the World Cup was in 1996 in the semi-final of the King Hassan II International Cup. The match ended in a 2-2 draw before Croatia won 7-6 on penalties.
Compiled by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Peter Rutherford
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