Here we are, 20 minutes away from the 2018 finalists first game in this world cup and they have a tricky first game against Morocco. Especially with Achraf Hakimi the right-back from PSG who will be expected cause problems for this Croatia defence. As for Croatia they will be hoping to go one step further this time around after making the final in 2018 and this is more than likely to be last world cup for two of their all-time greats in Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, so they will be trying everything to start their final world cup on a high.
Line-ups
1’ The game has kicked off and we are underway for the first matchday in Group F
2’ It’s early in this game but Croatia are keeping the ball well and its looking like Morocco are just a step behind so far although its early
4’ An early opportunity for Croatia with a poor throw falling to Andrej Kramaric who is tackled before he can get a shot away
6’ There’s a half chance for Morocco with Noussair Mazraoui making good progress down the wing and getting the ball to Sofiane Boufal who tries to play it on one more only for the ball to be cleared by Croatia
Embed from Getty Images10’ So far its a good start for the current world cup runners up with them keeping possession and creating a few chances however you could say the same for Morocco as its been an even first 10 minutes
12’ Morocco with a couple of good opportunities first with Boufal getting past his man and whipping in a delightful ball that falls to Hakami who puts the shot into the keepers arms still 0-0
14’ Although Croatia have been able to muster a few chances Kramaric is starting to get a bit isolated up front with Croatia struglling to get bodies up with him
Embed from Getty Images16’ The best chance of the game falls to Perisic the ball is given away by Morocco and it falls to Perisic who takes a strike from far out that goes just over the bar
17’ Now Morocco go down the other end and have a great chance with Hakim Ziyech putting in a great delivery that Youssef El-Nesyri just can’t get his head on
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19’ Morocco have won a free kick in a great position with Ziyech and Hakimi standing over it
20’ Ziyech does take but the wall does its job nicely to stop the ball in its tracks in a dangerous area
24’ Morocco are creating chances this a ball over the top to El-Nesyri who just can’t get the touch right in a really good position to cause trouble for the Croatian keeper
27’ There was really good one touch passing between Mateo Kovacic and Perisic but a poor cross ruins what could have been a good move for Croatia, which has been the early problem for Croatia with little quality in the final third so far
Embed from Getty Images31’ Ziyech is looking really up for this game so far with some amazing balls and crosses into the box, although he may have been struggling at Chelsea there have been no struggles so far today he’s been excellent so far
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35’ Here Morocco have won a free kick quite deep but so far 35 minutes in you have to say they have the slight upper hand and could be looking at an upset if they keep up this tempo
39’ Morocco have won another foul in a good postion for Ziyech or Hakimi to put in a good delivery here
40’ Ziyech has ended up taking the free kick however he can’t get it past the first man a disappointing end to a free kick in a good position for Morocco to get a good ball in the box
42’ We currently have a slight break in play as Nikola Vlasic has gone of the pitch to receive some treatment
45’ What a chance for Croatia a ball whipped in by Sousa, Vlasic is able to get good contact on the ball and Bono makes an amazing reaction save to keep it goalless
45’ There has been two minutes of additional time
45+2’ Croatia have another close chance with a blocked Vlasic effort falling to Modric who puts the ball just over the bar
Half-time – Croatia 0-0 Morocco – It’s not been a great first half, but Morocco have definitely looked the better of the two sides so far mostly with their pressing and keeping the ball better in the midfield. As well as Croatia having trouble with the quality of Ziyech and Hakimi. However, at the end of the first half Croatia were able to get the best chances of the half right at the end almost being gifted them by some lackadaisical passing form some of the Morocco defenders.
46’ At half time have a change with Mario Pasalic coming on for Valsic, this is a slight shock as Vlasic was playing well however he had some treatment at the end of the first half
46’ We are underway after a slight delay waiting for Sofiyn Amrabat to emerge from the tunnel
50’ Its been a slow start to second half however Morocco are starting to cone into the game with their high press
51’ An early chance for Croatia with Josip Juranovic putting in a good cross put out for a corner
Embed from Getty Images52’ Close chance from the corner with Yassine Bounou rushing out to make a brave punch that falls to Perisic and then cleared of the line by Morocco
53’ The game has stopped as Mazraoui needs treatment which will be worrying for Morocco if he has to go of
57′ Mazraoui has gone down again and has had to be stretchered of and is being replaced by Yahia Attiyat allah, this will be a big miss for Morocco especially since Mazraoui has been so good for Morocco and Bayern this season
Embed from Getty Images61′ Morocco are still having joy down the right-hand side this time with Hakimi putting a ball in the box that just misses everyone in the box
63′ Morocco have another free kick a bit far for a direct hit, but that does not phase Hakimi who strikes the ball down the throat of Dominik Livakovic in the Croatia net
65′ Morocco have made another change with Boufal coming off for Ez Adbe
Embed from Getty Images69′ Croatia are finally having some sustained possession in this half finally winning a corner
71′ Croatia have won another corner which has gone straight into the hands of Bounou
71′ Croatia have also made a change with Kramaric coming off for Marko Livaja
74′ Morocco nearly win the ball with some good pressing but the youthful exuberance of substitute Ez Abde gives away a foul
77′ We the first yellow card of the game with it being shown to Amrabat
79′ A sub for Croatia
81′ We have a double sub for Morocco with El-Nesyri and Azzedine Ounahi coming off and Abderrazak Abdelhamid Sabiri and Hamdallah coming on
85′ A penalty shout for Morocco waived away by the referee after a some appealing from Ez Adbe
89′ Sub for Croatia
90′ There is six minutes of additional added time
90+4′ Its end-to-end stuff with neither Croatia or Morocco being able to control the ball as they both try to conjure a winner
Full-time – Croatia 0-0 Morocco – It was an interesting game for Croatia and Morocco, with Morocco looking the better part for large majorities of the game but the best chances still falling to Croatia. With the reaction save from Bono and the Perisic shot cleared of the line. For Croatia they will have to play better if they want to progress far in this tournament however, I still believe there are some positives to take from this game especially the defensive play of Lovern and Gvardiol. For Morocco I believe they put down a marker in this first game taking it to the current runners up and playing some extremely good football especially from Ziyech and my man of the match Hakimi who were putting in excellent deliveries and causing lots of problems down the Croatia right hand side. They will have to keep up this type of performance if they want to make it out of the group but with a good start like this who knows what’s left in store.
