Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 in the World Cup third-place play-off on Sunday morning, with Mislav Orsic scoring the surprise winner.
Josko Gvardiol, one of Qatar’s tournament stars, put Croatia ahead in the seventh minute at the Khalifa International Stadium, but Achraf Dari leveled for Morocco straight away.
Orsic’s formidable curling strike late in the first half ensured Croatia took the bronze medal, the 11th straight World Cup a European team has finished third.
“It’s a bronze medal, but for us it’s like a gold medal,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said.
Walid Regragui, the Morocco coach, said his side had plenty to reflect on with pride after becoming the first African semi-finalists in World Cup history.
“It’s a bitter defeat, but I think he deserves it,” said Regragui.
“We have a team that never gave up. We will remember many games, we will come back stronger. It’s been a month since we united our country, everyone was happy.”
Morocco, who had never made it past the last 16 before this World Cup, had shown their intent with a spirited display against 2018 runners-up Croatia in their first match in Qatar.
The fairytale, however, ends on a slightly sour aftertaste after Regragui was seen arguing with the match officials after the final whistle.
“A sad way for Morocco to end the tournament as their coach and players surround the referee, furious about something,” said the BBC’s Andy Cryer.
“They have been exceptional in this tournament, just like Croatia. Probably the right result this afternoon.”
There was Croatia who seemed to have more reason to be angry with the officials after Guardiol appeared to be brought down in a clear foul inside the box.
Croatia were furious when Guardiol went down in the box when his foot appeared to be caught by Sofyan Amrabat, but there was no VAR review.
The BBC’s Danny Murphy said: “It was a foul, it was enough of a foul. It was 100 per cent a penalty.
“It was a clear and obvious mistake and you can see why Guardiol was so frustrated. Fortunately, there haven’t been too many in this World Cup when we thought they were wrong. That one was obvious. I don’t know what they think they saw to not give it.”
It could have been a game-changing moment if Youssef En-Nesyri had found a way past Livakovic, who sprawled superbly to block the striker from close range.
The second leg was nothing like the 0-0 draw in the group stage, with Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou perilously close to putting the ball into his own net early on.
Croatia got in front from a well-rehearsed free-kick, when Ivan Perisic nodded Lovro Majer’s clip into the box to Gvardiol, who planted his header into the corner.
But Morocco hit back two minutes later when Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick deflected off Majer’s head and allowed Dari to head past Dominik Livakovic.
Andrej Kramaric headed straight to Bounou, who then did well to grab the ball to safety as Marko Livaja closed in after Luka Modric’s through ball.
Orsic curled brilliantly in off the post from the corner of the box to put Croatia back in front before the break after 18-year-old Moroccan debutant Bilal El Khannouss lost the ball deep in their own half.
Orsic went close again moments after the restart, his goalbound effort hitting Jawad El Yamiq and just wide of the post.
Mateo Kovacic went wide with the chance to put the game beyond doubt. Morocco had a late penalty appeal turned down and En-Nesyri headed just wide, but the Atlas Lions could not find a way back from their historic run.