Croatia and Morocco drew 0-0 for the first game of group F of the 2022 World Cup, at Al Bayt Stadium, in Al Khor, Qatar.
The game started tied and continued like this until the final whistle: the teams had a lackluster match in their debut in the Cup.
The current runner-up stopped in the strong Moroccan defense, which countered the 18 Croatian crosses and tried to find a chance in the opponent’s error.
But the African team didn’t stay completely back, they even tried to score from a higher line, looking for a wrong pass for the fast Boufal to take advantage of in a counterattack, or even risk setting something up through Ziyech.
When the ball was at their feet, however, the Moroccans didn’t seem to know quite what to do. Not that the Croatians were up to date: the midfield of Modrić, Brozović and Kovacić exchanged harmless passes for most of the game.
The European team was patient and managed to build the game’s great chance at the end of the first half: after Sosa’s cross, the ball landed at Vlasić’s feet, who only touched it, already in the small area. Goalkeeper Bounou made a great save, which kept the score at zero.
The second half continued in the same vein. Morocco found a chance after ball rebounded in the Croatian defense, but without angle. The compilation of highlights stopped at the 64th minute of the game, with a venomous free kick by Hakimi, a promising PSG winger.
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