World Cup 2022: seriously, Morocco holds a rather disappointing Croatia in check

So far, the big nations have been divided into two categories: those who have successfully entered the World Cup, such as the Netherlands or France, and those who miss it, such as Argentina.

Impossible to rank in either one or the other, Croatia only made a mixed start, failing to get rid of Morocco, at the end of a balanced match but lacking in sparks this late Wednesday morning at Al-Bayt stadium (0-0).

Clearly, Croatia dropped two points which they may miss out on for top spot in Group F, also coveted by Belgium.

Conversely, Morocco can congratulate themselves on a good point taken against one of the big teams in the group, with a view to qualifying for the round of 16.

And if the stats are to be believed, the Croatians have won their initial game every time they have gone far in the World Cup - semi-final in 1998, final in 2018. The other three times they have lost it and n did not have a good run.

This time, by a moderate temperature, 23-24 degrees, the "Vatreni" or "Flamboyants" rather showed the aging version of their team against a Moroccan team, very well organized defensively although approximate offensively.

No real thrill crossed the stadium until a bad pass from Amallah and Perisic's left-footed strike from just over 20 meters, full axis, just above the crossbar of Bounou (17th ).

But Perisic, Croatia's top scorer in major tournaments - nine goals and five assists - didn't have another chance.

[🎞️VIDEO - ⚽️BUT] 🏆 #FIFAWorldCup

🔥 WHAT YASSINE BOUNOU PARADE!!!

👏 The Moroccan goalkeeper keeps the Atlas Lions alive in this game!

🇲🇦🇭🇷 #beINFWC2022 #MARCRO pic.twitter.com/MjJePCTrGG

— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) November 23, 2022

We even had to wait until the end of the first period to witness the first real opportunity.

Vlasic, royally served back by Sosa, stumbled on the thigh of Bounou who came out to meet him (45th + 1).

It was the first shot on target of the game... Immediately after, Modric, 37, came forward in turn.

The Ballon d'Or 2018, in ambush at 18 meters, placed a powerful powerful recovery with the left foot, but slightly above (45th + 2).

After the break, the Atlas Lions, a little in search of technical accuracy, placed some banderillas: a spectacular diving header from Mazraoui, the left side of Morocco, failed on Livakovic, the Croatian goalkeeper (51st) while A powerful strike from the right of the Parisian Hakimi forced Livakovic into a parade (65th).

In the last quarter of an hour, the Croats increased their pressure, confiscated the ball, and forced Regragui's players to retreat and suffer.

Twice, following free kicks, Croatia posed a threat to Bounou's goal (71st and 81st) but without deceiving the vigilance of the Moroccan defense.

The "Flamboyants" will have to be more against Canada (Sunday) then Belgium (Thursday, December 1) if they want to blaze in Qatar.