Africa’s quest for its first win at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar continued on Wednesday as Morocco’s Atlas Lions only forced Croatia to a fruitless draw in their Group F match at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Both Croatia and Morocco are participating in their sixth World Cup although the Croatians have been more successful, reaching the final at the last World Cup in Russia.
This perhaps explains why Croatia were favorites to beat the Moroccans in their Group F opener on Wednesday, but try as they might, they could not overcome the Atlas Lions, who played a solid defensive game.
Croatia came off the whistle as Ivan Perisic piled on the pressure after a Borna Sosa overhead pass in the second minute, before Nayef Agueh cleared the forward threat.
Two minutes later, Perisic and Andrej Kramaric both missed and Romain Saiss cleared the ball.
Perisic would have put the Blazzers ahead but the Tottenham player was too slow to capitalize on a loose ball from Selim Amallah who hit the crossbar in the 17th minute.
Towards the end of the first half, Croatia skipper and Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, could have done better by turning Bono’s rebound past the post.
The first half ended with the lions showing composure, and Croatia did not capitalize on their chances.
The second part
Just 10 minutes into the second half, the Morrocan keeper stretched out to deny Modric’s corner from Gvardiol Josko.
The Moroccans, however, were dealt a blow after Noussir Mazrouni was stretched off the pitch after Croatia defender Josip Juranovic’s header was stopped near the post.
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He was then replaced by Yahya Attia Allah, who plays club football for CAF Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.
Four minutes after the hour mark, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic quickly punched home Archaf Hakimi’s goal after Ziyech had set up the PSG player with a free-kick.
With 10 minutes to go before half-time, Modric’s free-kick denied him the expected goal as Gvadiol’s header went wide.
After Croatia and Morocco wasted several chances, both sides ended in a goalless draw – the second of the competition.
While Morocco will be happy with the point they got on Wednesday, they will be keen to improve their performance at the World Cup as they have won just one of their last 10 World Cup matches.
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