Kathmandu (GoalNepal) - Croatia have overcome to Moroccan challenge to finish third in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Croatia defeated Morocco 2-1 in the third-place playoff at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar to finish third.

In a competitive match, all three goals came in the first half. Centre-back Josko Gvardiol gave Croatia the lead in the seventh minute of the match. Ivan Perisic's headed flick off a Luka Modric freekick was headed home by Gvardiol with a diving header.

But Morocco equalized just two minutes later through Achrad Dari. Hakim Ziyech's tame freekick looped off Majer in the ball onto the edge of the six-yard box and Dari headed home before Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic arrived to collect the ball.

Mislav Orsic restored Croatia's lead in the 42nd minute with a curling effort from the left-hand side of the box which proved to be enough for 2018's runners-up to finish third. These two sides had played a goalless draw earlier in the tournament in a group F fixture.

Defending champions France and Argentina are set to square off against each other tomorrow to fight for their third FIFA World Cup trophy each.