Croatia <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/fifa-world-cup-2022/2022/12/17/moroccos-marvels-end-historic-world-cup-in-fourth-after-narrow-defeat-against-croatia/" target="_blank">beat injury-hit Morocco 2-1</a> in the 2022 World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday to leave Qatar on a high after again surpassing expectations following their run to the final in 2018. Despite defeat, Morocco also leave with heads aloft after becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final. Mislav Orsic's late first-half strike was enough to settle the contest after two goals inside the first nine minutes set the tone for a pulsating encounter, Achraf Dari cancelling out Josko Gvardiol's opener for Croatia. A bronze medal may have served as nothing more than consolation after both sides endured disappointment in the semi-finals, but Croatia and Morocco looked eager to make amends after losing to Argentina and France respectively. Player ratings from the match can ben seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.