Morocco vs Croatia live updates

Omar Garrick·

Staff Editor, News

You can catch the full highlights of the match over on ITV’s social media channels.

Omar Garrick·

Staff Editor, News

Mario Mandzukic, who scored the winner against England four years ago, is now on Croatia’s coaching staff. Rebic has gone and players are getting older. Croatia will have to show a bit more attacking gusto against Canada, which is probably a must-win given Belgium are their final game of the group stages.

The other match in Group F between Belgium and Canada takes place at 19.00 GMT time at the Al-Rayyan Stadium this evening.

Jacob Tanswell

It was only the first game of the tournament against two well-matched teams, so erring on the side of caution may have been a contributing factor in how the match panned out.

Jacob Tanswell

Morocco (0.32) 0-0 (0.68) Croatia

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 23, 2022

A game void of clearcut goalscoring chances but underpinned by two well-coached, tactically astute teams. It led to an impasse that stayed throughout. Croatia did manage to push Morocco back as the second half wore on, after Morocco’s pressure in midfield had caused problems. But Modric and co could not open up Morocco’s 4-2-3-1 shape. Apart from Perisic’s flicked header and the resulting rebound from Lovren, both sides ended up neutralising each other.

Both next play on Sunday, with Morocco facing Belgium while Croatia play Canada in Group F.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Jacob Tanswell

Perisic is off for Mislav Orsic as the fourth official holds the board up for six minutes of added time. I’m afraid he, like most of the key players from both teams, have failed to make any telling contributions today. Ziyech has barely had a kick in the last 20 minutes.

Jacob Tanswell

Despite the stadium not being at full capacity, Morocco’s supporters are doing all they can do to carve out one big opportunity. It is perhaps a reflection of a growing shift in mindset within the country, who are pushing for a winner than being content with a draw.

Jacob Tanswell

Perisic’s flicked header was saved well by Bounou earlier in the half.

Jacob Tanswell

Morocco make their third and fourth changes of the afternoon, with both attacking reinforcements. En-Nesyri is off for Abderrazak Hamdallah, who came out of international retirement this year. Midfielder Ounahi is the next sub, being replaced by Abdelhamid Sabiri. No backward step taken from those changes, it seems

Jacob Tanswell

The Chelsea midfielder is replaced by Lovro Majer. Morocco, meanwhile, are readying two subs of their own

Jacob Tanswell

Amrabat, who has probably been the likely culprit all games, swipes the legs of Modric to receive the game’s first yellow. It was a clever, no-touch turn from Modric, with Amrabat so late he was already back in Italy playing for his club side in January.

Jacob Tanswell

Two inviting set-plays have been typically delivered with precision by Modric, with Morocco making two excellent interventions. The second one sees Lovren inches away from winning a header at the back post, but red shirt are again there to clear from danger.

Morocco still look a threat on transition, but are gradually dropping deeper and less vigorous in their pressing in midfield.

Jacob Tanswell

Following another cynical foul, this time from Morocco’s sub Abde Ezzalzouli, that results in no booking, Croatia make another change. Kramaric is off Marko Livaja.

Jacob Tanswell

Boufal is replaced by Abde Ezzalzouli, who comes on at left wing. This means Morocco has changed their left-side completely, with Mazraoui substituted on the hour mark.

Will Croatia’s knowhow just edge it now?

Jacob Tanswell

Ziyech lays the ball off to Hakimi from a free-kick roughly 30-yards out. Hakimi’s first-time effort is dipping (apparently these are the fastest World Cup balls ever) but is straight after Croatia keeper Livakovic. It is dealt with and parried away from danger, but a good effort from the right-back.

Jacob Tanswell

A lovely give and go between Hakimi and Ziyech sees the former drives down the right and crossing along the six-yard box, which is somehow missed by every shirt inside the area. En-Neysri, who has been threatening to get on the end of a few deliveries today, has a pained expression on his face knowing how close he was to getting on the end of it.

Jacob Tanswell

The Bayern Munich full-back received treatment a few minutes ago but went down again. The injury seemed to have arisen from his diving header after landing awkwardly and is stretchered off, clutching his right shoulder. Not a good sight. Attait-Allah comes on to replace Mazraoui at left-back in Morocco’s first change.

Jacob Tanswell

Croatia brought on Pasalic for Vlasic at half-time looking for some more incision in the front-line. And they nearly scored from a corner there, Amrabat having to clear off the line from Lovren’s close range effort. But now Mazraoui is getting treatment after a collision and so there is time for the teams to regroup.

Jack Pitt-Brooke·

Football Writer

Amrabat is everywhere. Modric send in a corner at the other end, with Perisic’s near-post flick causing pinball in the box. Lovren tries to poke the ball home but Amrabat lunges to clear off the line. The game has sparked into life in recent minutes.

Jacob Tanswell

Croatia cannot get out of their half. Morocco’s press is ferocious. They win the ball back and Boufal’s shot seems to hit the hand of Lovren before Noussair Mazraoui has a close range diving header saved. Whistles around the stadium from the Morocco fans….

Jacob Tanswell