World Cup Third Place Play Off: Croatia vs Morocco Betting Odds & Recap
Group F Rematch
âš½Croatia vs Morocco: Game Recapâš½
Results: Croatia 2-1 Morocco
Unlike their group stage match-up, this match was far from boring. Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 to take third place at the 2022 World Cup, thanks to a sensational goal from Mislav Orsic.
Both sides had previously endured semi-final defeats, with Croatia losing 3-0 to Argentina and Morocco falling 2-0 to France; they also met in the group stages, a game which ended 0-0.
The game kicked off quickly as Croatia center-back Josko Gvardiol scored a diving header after only seven minutes, converting an excellent set-piece routine.
Two minutes later, Morocco was level, with center-back Achraf Dari (who started the tournament as fourth-choice) heading an equalizer after poor Croatian marking. Dari and defensive partner Jawad El Yamiq would later go off with an injury, leaving fifth-choice center-back Badr Benoun as the only recognized central defender on the pitch.
Three minutes before half-time came the moment fans will forever remember the match for — a sublime curling winner from Orsic.
Both sides had chances in the second half, with Gvardiol not given a penalty after being fouled by Sofyan Amrabat. At the same time, Youssef En-Nesyri fired an excellent opportunity straight at Dominik Livakovic.
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic dragged a shot wide late on, while, with 30 seconds left, En-Nesyri’s header fell inches over the bar, agonizingly for Morocco.
The outstanding Luka Modric bade farewell to the World Cup with a win. The 37-year-old midfielder is not expected to appear in another tournament, but you never know with the Euros looming around the corner.
 Croatia | – |  Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| 52% | Possession | 48% |
| 13 | Total Shots | 9 |
| 4 | Shots on Target | 2 |
| 6 | Shots Wide | 5 |
| 3 | Shots Blocked | 2 |
| 1 | Saves | 2 |
| 6 | Corners | 3 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 13 | Fouls | 11 |
| 2 | Offsides | 2 |
| 84% | Pass Accuracy | 85% |
| 6 | Dribbles | 7 |
| 14 | Crosses | 18 |
| 20 | Tackles | 10 |
Did We Get It Right?
Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on December 15, 2022.
Croatia and Morocco’s Heads Held High
The semifinal didn’t go as planned for both Croatia and Morocco but they still have a lot to be proud of. Zlatko Dalic and Croatia reached a second consecutive semifinal and knocked out Brazil in the process. Meanwhile, Morocco became the first African team to make the semifinal of a FIFA World Cup. The Atlas Lions outlasted both Spain and Portugal before falling to France on Wednesday. Luckily, both teams will get another chance to showcase their talents in the third place play-off. We’ll take a look at the Croatia vs Morocco betting odds for what is an intriguing match.
Croatia vs Morocco
Date & Time & Streaming:
Location: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar
Streaming: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock
Team Standings and Odds:
| Team | FIFA World Ranking | World Cup Qualifying Record | Group Stage Standings | To Finish in Third |
| Croatia | 12 | 7-2-1, 1st UEFA Group H | 1-2-0, 2nd Group F | -145 |
| Morocco | 22 | 7-1-0, 1st CAF Group I | 2-1-0, 1st Group F | +115 |
| All Meetings: | Teams |
|---|---|
| Dec 1996: | Morocco 2-2 Croatia |
| Nov 2022: | Morocco 0-0 Croatia |
Croatia and Morocco have only met twice in their history and one of them was a few weeks ago. So, this will be the second opportunity to take the Croatia vs Morocco Betting Odds in this World Cup. Morocco and Croatia played to a scoreless draw in the Group F opener on November 23rd. They also drew 2-2 in the 1996 Hassan II Trophy semifinal. Croatia later won 7-6 on penalties.
Croatia: End of an Era
Previous Match: 0-3 L vs. Argentina
Injuries and Suspensions: M Marcelo Brozovic (Day-to-Day)
Argentina proved to be too much for Croatia in Tuesday’s semifinal. Croatia conceded a first half penalty and were left playing catch up after Lionel Messi converted. Julian Alvarez quickly added a second for La Albiceleste before halftime and Croatia’s offense was toothless throughout the course of the match. Luke Modric’s World Cup dream ended in a 3-0 defeat. Fans may very well get one more opportunity to see the midfield legend in action for his country.
It wouldn’t at all be surprising if the 37-year old retires from the national soccer team following the tournament. His, Ivan Perisic and Dejan Lovren’s retirements would mark the end of a golden era for Croatia. For a country of under four million people to reach consecutive semifinals is no small feat. They somehow did it this time by just winning one match in regulation. Heading into the third place play-off, Croatia hold a 1-4-1 record. They finished second in the Group F FIFA World Cup standings and knocked out Japan and Brazil in penalties in the round of 16 and quarterfinal, respectively.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic has been one of the standout players of the tournament and kept Croatia in matches. The midfield of Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic has been excellent. However, Brozovic came off early vs. Argentina with a muscle injury and it remains to be seen whether he’ll play on Saturday. 20-year old defender Josko Gvardiol has also given Croatia fans hope that they’ll still be able to compete post-Modric. This is a proud team and they’ll undoubtedly take Saturday’s match seriously.
Morocco: Incredible Run Comes to an End
Previous Match: 0-2 L vs. France
Injuries and Suspensions: D Nayef Aguerd (Questionable), D Romain Saiss (Doubtful)
Morocco have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of after going on a magical run to the semifinal. They won Group F conceding just one goal, which was an own goal. They incredibly shut out Spain in the round of 16 and managed a dramatic penalty shootout victory. Then, Walid Regragui’s men eked out a 1-0 win over Portugal in the quarterfinal to make history. The Atlas Lions did Africa and the Arab world proud by becoming the first team from the continent and region to make the semifinal. Morocco fell behind early in their semifinal match to France and went for an equalizer almost immediately. They put a lot of pressure on the France defense but couldn’t get a breakthrough in a 2-0 loss.
Despite losing, Morocco have been FIFA World Cup betting darlings and gone 5-1 ATS at the tournament. Regragui’s tenure has gotten off to a stellar start, with six shutouts in nine matches. A bunch of Moroccan players have impressed at the tournament as well and could still be around for World Cup 2026. Achraf Hakimi has been one of the best right backs in the world over the last few years. Midfielders Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi have had their way in the center of the park. Meanwhile, wingers Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech, along with striker Youssef En-Nesyri have posed big threats. Captain Romain Saiss has also been crucial but came off with an injury in the first half vs. France.
Like Croatia, Morocco should be motivated to put on a good performance here. Almost no one expected them to get this far and a third place finish would be a huge achievement. When Morocco conceded vs. France in the fifth minute, it marked the first time they trailed all tournament. Out of their defensive shell, they created a bunch of chances and were entertaining to watch. The final product was lacking a bit but they should be able to create goal scoring opportunities here as well.
Match Analysis and Odds:
Croatia enter this third place play-off as slight favorites to finish in third place. The Croatia vs Morocco Betting Odds price them at -145 odds to take home the World Cup bronze medal. Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions of Morocco come in at +115 odds. The match should be a competitive one and is listed as a pick’em. Croatia’s ATS odds are -140, while Morocco sit at +120.
Morocco have won three of their six matches at the World Cup in regulation but sit at just +200 odds to do so here. Croatia, on the other hand, have won just one of six but are +135 favorites for Saturday’s match. The Vatreni did win their only previous appearance in this match, in 1998.
Croatia defeated the Netherlands 2-1 on the day. A fifth Croatia draw in seven matches comes in at +250 odds, though.
The 2018 third place play-off was the first since 1974 to finish with fewer than three goals. Belgium defeated Harry Kane and England 2-0 to take home third place. This match is usually an attacking showcase as the stakes are much lower than in Sunday’s final. So, don’t necessarily expect a scoreless draw like in their group stage opener. The game should be a fair bit more open than that.
Morocco and Croatia haven’t exactly been high scoring teams, though. Four of Croatia’s six goals in the tournament came in a 4-1 win vs. Canada. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have scored five goals at the World Cup so far. That’s as many goals as Morocco’s entire team to this point. Still, given the nature of the play-off, over 2½ goals sits at -115 odds for what could be Luka Modric’s last match for Croatia.
