For some reason, it seems everyone (myself included) has brainwashed themselves into thinking the World Cup third play playoff is the most useless fixture in existence, when in actuality it’s had a pretty entertaining history.
Croatia’s triumph against Morocco in the 2022 edition was arguably the most entertaining match involving either side at this World Cup. Funny, that.
Goalkeeper Bono has had a sensational tournament, but he nearly began the playoff by scoring a calamitous own goal, instead managing to pass the ball out of play past his post for a corner.
What was Bono doing?! 😲
So close to an own goal.
📺💻📱 Watch on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport app.#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/d88yMHLwOT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 17, 2022
Bono playing very close to the edge there. #CROMAR
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 17, 2022
Just minutes into the game, Josko Gvardiol finished up a well-worked Croatian set piece with a thumping header to break the deadlock.
This set-piece was beautiful 😍
Josko Gvardiol diving like a salmon to put Croatia ahead against Morocco!
📺💻📱 Watch on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport app.#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/SqbeMdjMPl
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 17, 2022
Josko Gvardiol the first ever player to have a figurative zero taken off his transfer fee and then put back on again a few days later
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) December 17, 2022
There were some other, er, unorthodox assessments of the defensive giant.
𝖦𝗏𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗂𝗈𝗅 is incredible, reminds me of Gary Cahill.
— ✈️ (@Arrizabalager) December 17, 2022
But before Croatia could even catch their collective breath, Morocco levelled from a set piece of their own through Achraf Dari.
Josko Gvardiol & Achraf Dari’s goals means that this is the first match at this World Cup in which 2 Centre Backs have scored.
Two great diving headers. 💥 pic.twitter.com/yqx9pKLdG7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 17, 2022
Tell Dari this game doesn’t matter! 💥
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) December 17, 2022
Mislav Orsic – famous for scoring against Tottenham, West Ham and Chelsea for Dinamo Zagreb in recent years – then put Croatia back in front with a wonderful curling effort.
ORSIC 🤯 WHAT A GOAL!!!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 17, 2022
#HRV 2 #MAR 1 – what a beautiful goal by Orsic. Perfectly struck effort that goes in off the far post pic.twitter.com/AMPGgzG2Bd
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) December 17, 2022
Mislav Oršić 🤝 Only Scoring Worldies.
Spurs, West Ham and Chelsea fans will know that all too well… pic.twitter.com/pQfp0hI8mg
— COPA90 (@Copa90) December 17, 2022
Fans of Queens Park Rangers rejoiced at the start of the second half when playmaker Ilias Chair was brought on for his first minutes this World Cup.
Ilias Chair, this is your moment. #QPR
— Ash Rose (@AshroseUK) December 17, 2022
Ilias Chair coming on. QPR baller. Belgium bred. Still waiting for Anass Zaroury and Ayoub Assal to came on for Maroç in the next Euro.
— Jimmy (@ggdirono) December 17, 2022
Burnley fans were feeling the same way when Anass Zaroury was introduced.
Zaroury put Burnley on the map x
— A 🇲🇦 (@haanji___) December 17, 2022
ZAROURY IS BACK
— l🇲🇦 (@ptqqs13_) December 17, 2022
Croatia were infuriated that a challenge on Bruno Petkovic in the box did not yield a penalty, while the striker then went and impeded Achraf Hakimi at the other end, again with the referee waving play on.
📸 – No penalty given. pic.twitter.com/Mxr75B1Qdm
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) December 17, 2022
Two absolute honking refereeing decisions there
— Reubs (@ReubenPinder) December 17, 2022
Croatia clung on through six minutes of stoppage time to ensure they will be leaving Qatar with bronze medals.
Imagine telling someone after Croatia’s 0-0 draw against Morocco on Matchday 1, arguably one of the dullest games of the entire tournament, that they’d be facing each other in the third-place match. What a tournament for both teams.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 17, 2022
CROATIA TAKE THIRD PLACE AT THE 2022 WORLD CUP! 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/QHNaNFpTrU
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 17, 2022
2018 🥈
2022 🥉Consecutive podium finishes for Croatia at the World Cup 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/oV37k0HF4C
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 17, 2022
