World Cup: Morocco holds Croatia to goalless draw

In their opening match of the World Cup on Wednesday, Morocco put up a spirited performance against Croatia who finished second in 2018 and was headed by Luka Modric, to a scoreless draw.

At the Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions, supported by Qatar’s sizable Moroccan community, frustrated Croatia after Tunisia’s impressive display against underdog Denmark the day before.

Modric, the captain of Croatia, stated, “This was an incredibly difficult game. I do think we’ll get better and take a more proactive approach as the tournament goes on.

Despite a slow start in the early afternoon heat, Modric argued that Croatia is still capable of going far.

“We’ve not come here to just play and get out the group.

“Our ambitions are a bit greater on the basis of our Russia achievement, but we need to take it one step at a time.

“Even before the 2018 World Cup, we said our primary goal was to make it out of the group. If we manage to do that we can be a dangerous opponent for any team,” said Modric.

Coach Zlatko Dalic had urged Croatia to exercise caution following Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina, a result Morocco captain Romain Saiss said had “opened the door” for the tournament’s less-fancied teams.

Morocco took the game to a Croatia side featuring four players who started the 2018 final but struggled to create genuine chances against a defence marshalled by the experienced Dejan Lovren.

Azzedine Ounahi strangely opted against shooting when well placed inside the area, with Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi heavily involved down the right without ever truly threatening Croatia.

Ivan Perisic fired just over from distance for Croatia after intercepting a dreadful pass from Selim Amallah, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou blocked well with his legs to deny Nikola Vlasic from close range.

Modric, the former Ballon d’Or winner appearing at his fourth World Cup at the age of 37, then hammered over from the edge of the box.

Morocco lost Noussair Mazraoui early in the second half after his diving header was saved, the Bayern Munich full-back injuring himself when he tumbled awkwardly to the ground.

Sofyan Amrabat poked Lovren’s goal-bound effort away off the line after a scramble at a corner, while Hakimi’s free-kick at the other end was beaten to safety by Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic.

Only once has Morocco gone beyond the group stage, in 1986, but they will rate their chances of advancing with games to come against an ageing Belgium team and Group F outsiders Canada.

Croatia pushed for a late winner but found Morocco’s defence in an unforgiving mood as Walid Regragui’s side secured a valuable and deserved point.

World Cup: Morocco holds Croatia to goalless draw