Despite occasionally threatening to burst into life in the first half, little creativity or goalmouth action was provided as Croatia and Morocco struggled to a share of the points in Qatar. The first shot on target was in the 45th minute. Morocco, however, impressed against a strong Croatian side amid a partisan atmosphere provided by a large contingent of travelling Morocco fans in Doha. The second half, however, was largely a non-event and slowly drifted towards a goalless draw, the third in four games at the tournament.
Key Performers:
Sofyan Amrabat, 7 – The Fiorentina man stood firm at the base of the Morocco midfield throughout, intelligently picking off passes and breaking up play before using the ball neatly. Mateo Kovačić and Luka Modrić struggled for influence as a result, comfortably the game’s most effective player but still only just worth a 7.
Achraf Hakimi, 6 – In a conservative encounter, the marauding PSG full-back was one of few potential threats to actually offer tangible danger, occasionally tearing forward to unsettle Croatia’s left-flank while his thunderbolt free-kick, although easily saved by Livaković, was one of the games more memorable moments.
Luka Modrić, 5 – A poor performance by his high standards as some potentially key passes notably went astray and he was shut down by a congested midfield, marshalled by Amrabat, but some of his set piece deliveries remained excellent and much of his passing in deeper positions was neat and tidy
Full Ratings:
MOROCCO – 0
Yassine Bounou, 6
Achraf Hakimi, 6
Nayef Aguerd, 5
Romain Saïss, 5
Noussair Mazraoui, 5
Sofyan Amrabat, 7
Azzedine Ounahi, 4
Selim Amallah, 4
Hakim Ziyech, 5
Sofiane Boufal, 3
Youssef En-Nesyri, 4
Others: Pašalić 5, Livaja 5, Majer 5.
CROATIA – 0
Dominik Livaković, 5
Josip Juranović, 5
Joško Gvardiol, 5
Dejan Lovren, 5
Borna Sosa, 5
Marcelo Brozović, 5
Mateo Kovačić, 4
Luka Modrić, 5
Ivan Perišić, 4
Nikola Vlašić, 3
Andrej Kramarić, 3
Others: Yahia Attiyat Allah 5, Ezzalzouli 5, Hamdallah 5, Sabiri 5.
2022 World Cup, Group F, 23/11/22
GIFN
