Morocco put in a superb rearguard action to hold Croatia to a goalless draw at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday in the opening Group F encounter of the 2022 World Cup.
The Atlas Lions, led by an impeccable performance from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, were able to handle anything the Blazers threw at them and will be delighted with having secured a vital point.
Morocco enjoyed the better of the match in the early minutes, with the North Africans using their pace and power to impose themselves early on.
However, after the half hour mark, Croatia suddenly shifted up a couple of gears and looked much more potent in attack.
They immediately created a good chance when Nikola Vlasic crossed from the right for Luka Modric, but the Real Madrid midfielder hit his volley wide of the target.
The Blazers had further efforts at goal through Andrej Kramaric and Mateo Kovacic, but neither was a bother for Bounou, leaving the game goalless at the half time break.
Croatia forced Morocco into making errors at the back just before the hour-mark, with Mario Pasalic going through on goal but Bounou came off his line quickly to avert danger.
Walid Regragui ’s men gained momentum and almost found the back of the with 20 minutes left after Hakim Ziyech cushioned a cross into the path of Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who sent his volley well over the target.
That was as close to a goal as the match produced, even though Croatia continued to rain in shots in the final quarter of the match.
Line ups:
Morocco: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Ghanem Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui (Yahya Attia Allah 60), Azzedine Ounahi (Abdelhamid Sabiri 82), Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri (Abd Al Razke Hamdalah 81), Sofiane Boufal (Abdessamad Ezzalzouli 65)
Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Borna Sosa, Josko Gvardiol, Dejan Lovren, Josip Juranovic, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic (Lovro Majer 79), Ivan Perisic (Mislav Orsic 90), Andrej Kramaric (Marko Livaja 71), Nikola Vlasic (Mario Pasalic 46)
