Croatia vs. Morocco (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
A World Cup 2022 bronze medal is on the line between Croatia and Morocco in Saturday's third-placed playoff at the Khalifa International Stadium, and neither side should turn their noses up to a podium finish on the grandest stage.
Zlatko Dalic's side were comfortably seen off 3-0 by Argentina in their semi-final, while the Atlas Lions fought valiantly against France but were put to the sword by two goals to nil.
We say: Croatia 0-1 Morocco
A trident of injured defenders would not spell optimism for any side, but Morocco's backline stand-ins have put in performances to be proud of and are now facing a Croatia XI who are not renowned for any sort of attacking mastery.
Rearguards will likely come out on top in this bronze medal battle, but Regragui's side need only improve their final ball to make their periods of pressure count, and we have belief in the Atlas Lions to do just that and end a magical World Cup journey with a podium finish.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Morocco could line up against Croatia
> How Croatia could line up against Morocco
> World Cup 2022: Reasons for Croatia to be confident of beating Morocco
Barney Corkhill
