Image source, Getty Images

Morocco can be proud they are playing a seventh game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, even though it is not Sunday's final, says head coach Walid Regragui.

Their history-making run saw them become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

"We would like things to have gone differently and played in the final," said Regragui. "There is another game to play, we would like to be on the podium.

"I understand it's important to finish third rather than fourth, but my takeaway is we didn't reach the final. We wanted to play the final on Sunday, not play Saturday.

"But I told my players this is our seventh World Cup game. If you told any Morocco fan we would be playing our seventh game on 17 December, they would be proud.

"Morocco played six World Cup games in 20-odd years and now we've played six games in a month - this is priceless. It's as if we played two World Cups or even more, that's beautiful from an experience point of view."

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Luka Modric may be 37 but this might not be the final time we see him at a major tournament.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is hopeful the midfielder will continue playing for the national side long enough to feature at the 2024 European Championships.

"I hope that he will be there," Dalic said. "I am looking forward to it.

"It is quite certain that he will there be but he will personally decide how he feels. I personally feel that he will be, but ultimately it is his decision."

Image source, Getty Images

As we approach another World Cup final, have a glance back at some of the iconic pictures from previous editions in Phil Dawkes' piece here.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

Image source, PA Media

Talking of photography, Argentina players goading the Netherlands ones after their quarter-final win on penalties is THE best pic taken at this World Cup.

It'll win awards one day.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Getting a real insight into the world of a match day photographer in the press centre today.

Today was the day they had to sign in to apply for the World Cup final - and the positions some have been given is creating ALOT of discussion.

A couple are delighted to have been allocated a slot behind the goal, but another few were not so fortunate and left wondering how they can snap that crucial match-winning goal or iconic celebration from the sidelines.

Never thought about it before…

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport

The images of Achraf Hakimi embracing his mother after each momentous victory on Morocco's route to the semi-final have gone viral during the World Cup.

They have been some of the many special snapshots that have captured a memorable and historic tournament for Morocco in Qatar - and they still have one last dance.

Head coach Walid Regragui may have described the third-place play-off as the "booby prize", but when Hakimi and Morocco face Croatia today it is a chance for the African side to create another celebratory evening for fans back home.

Paris St-Germain full-back Hakimi has been at the centre of Morocco's journey, and after their semi-final defeat by France he tweeted the "dream of a team, of a whole country, is over".

But is there one more special night to come from Morocco, who already became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup?

Read more here

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I was gutted for Morocco, who were running out of defenders with the injuries they picked up before and during their semi-final defeat by France.

I also wonder about all the emotion they have used up during their incredible run to the last four, and whether they might all feel a bit flat now their dream is over.

Morocco will still be desperate to win this game and finish third, though, while I'm not sure what Croatia's selection or mindset will be like.

They drew 0-0 when they met in the group stage but this time, if both teams are as strong as they can be and go all out for victory, I would back Croatia.

I don't think that will happen though, so let's give the Morocco fairy tale a winning finish.

Prediction:1-2

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Wherever a group of Morocco fans are, you can guarantee TV cameras won’t be far away.

This group are asked to launch into a song - they duly oblige.

Image source, BBC Sport

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

Croatia make five changes to the side that were beaten by Argentina in the semi-finals.

Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja, Lovro Majer all come in with Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Borna Sosa, Marcelo Brozovic and Mario Pasalic dropping out.

Luka Modric captain's the side, playing alongside Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

Croatia XI: Livakovic, Stanisic, Gvardiol, Sutalo, Majer, Kovacic, Modric, Perisic, Livaja, Orsic, Kramaric.

Image source, .

Morocco make three changes to the side that were beaten by France last time out.

Former Hudderfield winger Abdelhamid Sabiri gets a start, as does Yahya Attiat-Allah and Bilal El Khannouss.

Injured skipper Romain Saiss misses out, as does Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui.

The brilliant breakout star of the tournament Azzedine Ounahi is on the bench, while West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd is not deemed fit enough to start.

Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech takes the captain's armband.

Morocco XI: Bounou, Hakimi, Dari, El Yamiq, Attiat-Allah, Amrabat, El Khannouss, Ziyech (c), Sabiri, Boufal, En-Nesyri.

Image source, .

Sham, too soon to be reminded of Huddersfield (currently bottom of the Championship) players from our Premier League days...

You could see Sabiri's talent when he was at the Terriers but was always difficult to make an impression in a side fighting relegation. Good to see him doing well now.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Gaz, you'll like this one...

Morocco bos Walid Regragui said after the semi-final loss against France that he'll give many of the squad players a run-out today.

Former Huddersfield Town winger Abdelhamid Sabiri is given a start, having come off the bench to net in the shock group stage win over Belgium earlier in the tournament.

From Kirkheaton to Casablanca, they'll all be glued to their TV sets.

BBC One

This game is live on BBC One, with build up coverage starting at 14:30 GMT. You can also watch on BBC iPlayer and via this page.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

There is a little bit of the inevitable after the lord mayor’s show around the stadium today.

Still plenty of Moroccan fans mingling, but without the fervour and excitement that has made them one of the hits of the tournament.

Speaking to a couple, they believe plenty have stayed out for the match and that the match still matters to them.

‘Third place is beyond what we could dream of’, said Turkey fan Yildiz.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

This is the 21st game I've been to at this World Cup (and I've got a press ticket for tomorrow too, woooo!).

But there is a huge, HUGE police presence outside Khalifa International Stadium today, more than I've seen at any match during the tournament. Lots of barriers have been put up too.

Bag checks are rigorous and I asked one policeman why security has been bumped up.

He said authorities aren't expecting any trouble at all but "just in case" anything kicks off.

Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Image source, Getty Images

Morocco may have got further than anyone expected but not everyone is happy with how the fairy tale ended.

Morocco's football federation (FMRF) has protested to world governing body Fifa about the refereeing during the semi-final defeat by defending champions France,

The FMRF is unhappy that Mexican referee Cesar Ramos failed to award a penalty in the first half to the North Africans when Theo Hernandez made contact with Sofiane Boufal in the area.

Instead of awarding a spot-kick, Ramos instead booked winger Boufal for a foul.

The Moroccans were also unhappy that the hauling down of substitute Selim Amallah as he awaited the delivery of a set-piece also failed to prompt another look from officials.

"The FMRF has written to the relevant body to review the refereeing decisions that deprived the Moroccan team of two penalties that were indisputable in the view of several refereeing specialists," the Moroccan ruling body said in a statement., external

"The FMRF was equally astonished that the video assistant referee (VAR) did not react to these situations."

The big guns are in for Croatia, Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic both start.

Walid Regragui shuffles the pack for Morocco, injured skipper Romain Saiss and Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui both miss out.

Full team news to come.

Image source, Getty Images

Kent, the leader of a group of gibbons at Zagreb Zoo, has made his World Cup prediction and has gone for Croatia.

Given this gibbon lives in Croatia's capital, I'm calling bias...

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

If you told Morocco players or supporters before the start of the tournament they'd be playing for third place at this World Cup, they'd have laughed in your face and sent you on your way.

The north African side's incredible and historic journey comes to an end today and I'll take home some great memories of seeing the passion they have brought to Qatar both on and off the pitch.

As a Muslim, seeing players praying before the game and performing the sujood (prostration) afterwards has filled me with goosebumps.

Those piercing whistles when the opposition players have the ball and chants of "Dima Maghrib" (Forever Morocco) have been incredible to listen to.

The game no-one wants to be involved in? Not a bit of it.

Win or lose today, all involved with the side can return home tomorrow with their heads held high.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Image source, Getty Images

Match 63 of 64.

Khalifa Stadium awaits Croatia and Morocco to decide who finishes third and who finishes fourth in the World Cup.

Both sides will want to win this one.