Morocco 0-0 Croatia: 2018 World Cup runner-up are held in a goalless draw
World Cup 2018 runners-up Croatia made a frustrating start to their Group F campaign as a resolute Morocco secured a 0-0 draw in Al Khor.
Match Report
It was the third goalless draw at this winter's tournament in the space of 24 hours, and chances were at a premium with both defences on top.
There were just attempts on target from both teams in a match played in searing desert heat despite the best efforts of the air-conditioned Al Bayt Stadium, 50km north of Doha.
Morocco have proved to be one of the most difficult sides to beat in world football of late, and have now lost just two of their last 41 games across a three-year spell, while Croatia extended their own unbeaten run to seven games in a game that will not live long in the memory.
What does the result mean?
Group F also contains a Belgium side ranked second in the world and a Canada team playing in their first World Cup since 1986. Those two nations face each other later on Wednesday in the other game on matchday one.
Croatia face Canada on Sunday November 27; kick-off 4pm. Victory could secure their progress to the round of 16.
Morocco take on Belgium earlier on the same day at 1pm knowing they too could take a big step towards qualification with three points.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
16' CHANCE! Perisic's shot over the bar
18' Modric's foul
37' Foul from Amrabat
45' Bounou makes a great save!
52' Bounou makes a great save!
59' Injured! Mazraoui is stretchered off
77' Yellow Card! Amrabat booked
Line-ups
Morocco XI: Bounou, Saiss, Boufal, Ziyech, Amrabat, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Selim Amallah, Hakimi, En-Nesyri, Azzedine Ounahi
Subs: Munir, Abderrazak Hamdallah, A. Tagnaouti, Badr Benoun, Ilias Chair, El Yamiq, A.Sabiri, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Anass Zaroury, Yahya Jabrane, Achraf Dari, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Walid Cheddira, Ez Abde, Bilal El Khannouss
Croatia XI: Modric, Perisic, Lovren, Kramaric, Brozovic, Kovacic, D. Livaković, Borna Sosa, Vlasic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol
Subs: Budimir, D. Vida, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja, Pasalic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic, Petkovic, Borna Barisic, Martin Erlic, Kristijan Jakic, Lovro Majer, Josip Stanisic, Luka Sucic, Josip Sutalo
Henry
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