In their opening match of the World Cup on Wednesday, Morocco put up a spirited performance against the team that finished second in 2018 and was headed by Luka Modric, holding Croatia 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.
We didn’t just come here to play and bond as a team, added Modric.
“Based on our success in Russia, our ambitions are a little higher, but we must proceed cautiously.
“Even before the 2018 World Cup, we declared that getting out of the group stage was our top priority. We can pose a threat to any team as an opponent if we are successful in doing that.
Following Saudi Arabia’s unexpected victory over Argentina, which Morocco captain Romain Saiss claimed “opened the door” for the tournament’s underdog teams, coach Zlatko Dalic urged Croatia to proceed with caution.
Morocco challenged a Croatian team that included four players who started the 2018 final, but they were unable to generate quality chances against the seasoned Dejan Lovren-led defense.
Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi were highly involved down the right without ever really posing a threat to Croatia, however Azzedine Ounahi oddly chose not to shoot when well-positioned inside the area.
After intercepting a terrible ball from Selim Amallah, Croatia’s Ivan Perisic shot just wide from a distance, while Tunisian goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a strong block with his legs to stop Nikola Vlasic from scoring from close range.
Then, from the edge of the box, Modric, a former Ballon d’Or winner who is playing in his fourth World Cup at the age of 37, slammed home.
After his diving header was saved, Morocco lost full-back Noussair Mazraoui early in the second half. The Bayern Munich player hurt himself when he fell awkwardly to the ground.
After a flurry at a corner, Sofyan Amrabat cleared Lovren’s goal-bound shot off the line, and Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved Hakimi’s free-kick at the other end.
Morocco has only ever advanced past the group stage once, in 1986, but with games remaining against an aging Belgium team and Group F outsiders Canada, they will assess their chances of doing so.
Croatia attempted a late comeback but ran into a stubborn Moroccan defense that allowed Walid Regragui’s team to earn a crucial and well-earned point.
Regragui, who was only named Morocco’s coach in late August, said, “I think it’s a really good moment for us.
“It preserves us for the following two games. My players have made me very proud. This game, in my opinion, boosts our confidence.
