Morocco finished fourth in 2022 FIFA World Cup after falling 2-1 to Croatia in the third-place playoff at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Saturday.
The Blazers got off to a flyer and claimed the lead in the seventh minute courtesy of Josko Gvardiol’s header but Achraf Dari leveled just two minutes later by nodding home from close range.
Mislav Orsic scored the second for Croatia three minutes before half-time when his shot stuck the post before the deflected drive went into the back of the net.
After the match, Morocco coach Walid Regragui heaped praise on his charges for the wonderful performance in the tournament as they wrote history as the first African nation to reach the semifinals.
“The doubts were in the minds of everyone before this tournament but we have gone further than expected and it is not enough. That needs to set the example for the future,” Walid said in a post-match conference.
“Something that has touched me is when I see the pictures of children because football makes people dream. We have allowed children to dream, we have kept those dreams alive.
“Children in Morocco and around the world dream of winning the World Cup and that means more to me than winning any game at the World Cup.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We have made a fantastic achievement but we want to do that again. If we can keep reaching the semi-final or quarter final regularly, one day we will win the World Cup.”[/perfectpullquote]
Morocco had an extra-ordinary journey in the 2022 FIFA World Cup where they exceeded expectations by beating Belgium in the group stages before eliminating Spain and Portugal in the knockout phase.
