Summary

  • Use play icon at top of the page to play watch live coverage from the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan

  • FT: Croatia 2-1 Morocco - Gvardiol header opens scoring and Orsic restores lead after Dari levels

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate), or text your comments via WhatsApp on 03301231826

  1. Postpublished at 24 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Panic in the Morocco box as they struggle to clear their lines, Bono then spills Luka Modric's low effort from distance before eventually the defence scrambles clear.

  2. Postpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Shamoon Hafez
    BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

    There was a real commotion next to the press box here, it looked it was kicking off in the stands with people running up the steps.

    One of the journalists on Twitter, external is saying it was actually a marriage proposal.

    How sweet.

    Andrej Kra-marry-ic on the cards then.

    Will you Dari me?

    Sorry.

  3. Postpublished at 22 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    There was just 112 seconds between the two goals. I had to abandon my tea mid-gulp to write up the Morocco strike.

  4. 'Amazing sight'published at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Danny Murphy
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    Morocco's fans have been great. They take the silver medal on supporters, Argentina just won that. They have added so much and it has been an amazing sight site to see with so much red around.

  5. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    I shouldn't complain but finally a couple of minutes to catch our breath as the tempo of the game goes down a notch for the first time. Croatia have the ball and are being patient as they look to build an attack.

  6. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Morocco win would be huge for African football'published at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Tweet using #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply)

    Neonthu: It’s often hard to build a sense of excitement for the third-place play-off at the World Cup, but for Morocco it’s a chance to become the third best team in the world if they beat Croatia today. That would be a big deal for African football.

    Croatia 1-1 MoroccoImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Another mistake by Morocco and Croatia have a promising break. Andrej Kramaric leads it, racing towards the box before feeding Mislav Orsic, who cuts inside but his strike hits Kramaric. Croatia pick up the loose ball before Kramaric directs a header too close to Bono.

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Breathless start'published at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Tweet using #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    A breathless start. Feels like a fair few more goals in it. Two great sides still going for it.

    Lily, Wigan

    Croatia 1-1 MoroccoImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 17 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    An uncharacteristically poor set piece delivery by Luka Modric as his corner is cleared at the near post. That aside, he's had a typically good game so far. Busy and involved.

  10. Postpublished at 15:15 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Shamoon Hafez
    BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium

    The "Seer, seer (go, go)" chant has become synonymous with the Morocco fans during this tournament.

    They were silenced when Josko Gvardiol's header looped in, not anymore.

  11. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Croatia come forward again, pressing Morocco high up to win the ball 30 yards from goal. It is played quickly to Josip Stanisic, who drives well over.

    Cracking start to this game so far. The third-place play off can often feel like a bit of a damp squib but this is anything but.

  12. Postpublished at 13 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Right idea from Josko Gvardiol as he fizzes a ball down the left flank, hoping to put Ivan Perisic into space for the cross but he puts too much on the pass and it goes behind for a goal kick.

  13. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    .Image source, Opta

    We hoped for goals and we've had them. What a start! One shot on target each and a goal apiece.

    Croatia have had four touches in Morocco's box but that header - the equalising goal by Achraf Dari - is the only touch in Croatia's box from Morocco so far.

  14. 'What a response'published at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Danny Murphy
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    Not as good a ball in as the last one, Croatia don't track the runner and what a response from Morocco.

    There's definitely a freedom [today], you can play, try things and there's a nice feel to this game at the start of it with wide open spaces. When Morocco's confidence is up they can play through the lines and get at you quickly.

    Achraf DariImage source, Getty Images
  15. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Morocco have their tails up and are pushing for a quick second. Both sets of fans are loving this start and it is boisterous in the stands now.

  16. Postpublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Croatia 1-1 Morocco

    Andy Cryer
    BBC Sport in Qatar

    A brilliantly executed free-kick.

    That really was class. A great dink, a well-time header back into danger zone and what a finish from Josko Gvardiol.

    I didn't even have time to finish the post though...

    What a reponse from Morocco. We have a game on here.

  17. goal

    GOAL - Croatia 1-1 Moroccopublished at 9 mins

    Achraf Dari

    What is going on!?

    Morocco were behind for less than two minutes and equalise with a header of their own as Achraf Dari nods in a high, looping ball into the box from close range.

    It feels like this is going to be a very crazy game.

  18. 'Really clever'published at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2022

    Croatia 1-0 Morocco

    Danny Murphy
    Former England midfielder on BBC One

    Brilliant, a really clever set play - what a header back by Perisic. Gvardiol comes in the left-hand channel and they can't pick him out. If any Croatian player deserved a goal it was this man.

    So innovative.

    Josko GvardiolImage source, Getty Images
  19. goal

    GOAL - Croatia 1-0 Moroccopublished at 7 mins

    Josko Gvardiol

    Superbly worked goal!

    As good a goal as you will have seen at this World Cup as Croatia take the lead.

    The free kick is played into the area for Ivan Perisic, who flicks the ball to Josko Gvardiol and he dives to head in his first goal of the World Cup.

  20. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Croatia 0-0 Morocco

    Those jeers get louder as Croatia win a free kick some 35 yards out from goal...