• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

World Cup: Morocco, Croatia Dust Off For Bronze Battle

by Leadership News
3 years ago
in Sport
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

As Croatia and Morocco pick up the pieces after their World Cup semifinals defeats, the two teams will welcome the prospect of potentially leaving Qatar on a high when they square up in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Advertisement

Beating two world class teams in Argentina and France to reach the final proved to be a step too far for Croatia and Morocco, who handsomely defied pre-tournament odds to reach the semis.

Morocco rewrote history along the way when Walid Regragui’s fearless squad became the first African team to reach the last four of football’s showpiece event.

They will be welcomed home as heroes regardless of the result having not only earned the respect and support of the continent and the Arab world, but also having found a place in the hearts of neutral fans who love a true underdog story.

Croatia and Morocco will face off in Qatar for a second time after playing out a 0-0 draw in their group opener, just as in 2018 when Belgium and England met each other in the group stage and third-place playoff.

RELATED

Gov Otu Celebrates Cross River-born Super Falcons Player Miracle Usani

Gov Otu Celebrates Cross River-born Super Falcons Player Miracle Usani

15 hours ago
From ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ To ‘Allez Allez Allez’: The History Behind Famous Football Chants

From ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ To ‘Allez Allez Allez’: The History Behind Famous Football Chants

16 hours ago

“It will be difficult on a mental level. I will give opportunities to those who did not play and we will try to clinch third place,” Regragui said.

“The important thing is that we presented a good look to our team and that football in Morocco is not far from the top level.”

For 2018 runners-up Croatia, reaching a second consecutive final looked unlikely when they won just one group game.

But through sheer graft and tenacity, two penalty shootout wins over Japan and favourites Brazil earned them a semifinal match with Argentina, where an in-form Lionel Messi was the architect of their destruction.

“Realistically speaking, before the start of the tournament, we would all have accepted reaching the semifinals. However, we started to dream about the trophy,” Croatia midfielder Lovro Majer said.

“Still, we will give everything we’ve got on Saturday and try to win the bronze medal.”

For Croatia it represented an opportunity missed to crown their golden generation of players, with coach Zlatko Dalic confirming most of them will not play in the next World Cup.

“I told the players they need to keep their heads up, be proud of giving their maximum and be ready, we must prepare to fight for third place,” Dalic said.

“There is no blame on our guys, I congratulate them for everything they’ve done at this World Cup. Now we have to get up, dust ourselves off and try to win the bronze medal.”


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel




SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

EU Court Rejects European Super League

Next Post

RSDF Boss Backs Ogun To Host 2024 NSF

Leadership News

Leadership News

You May Like

Gov Otu Celebrates Cross River-born Super Falcons Player Miracle Usani
Sport

Gov Otu Celebrates Cross River-born Super Falcons Player Miracle Usani

2025/07/30
From ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ To ‘Allez Allez Allez’: The History Behind Famous Football Chants
Sport

From ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ To ‘Allez Allez Allez’: The History Behind Famous Football Chants

2025/07/30
Paris 2024: Nigeria To Know Opponents March 19
Basketball

Super Falcons: Tinubu’s Rewards Boost D’Tigress’ Morale At Afrobasket Contest

2025/07/30
NPFL: Niger Tornadoes Suspend Head Coach Abarah
NPFL

NPFL Reaffirms Ban On Slot Sales

2025/07/30
FCT SWAN Celebrates Hot Coal Boss At 50
Sport

Sports Journalists Deserve Better Attention, Recognition, SWAN Tells NSC, Others

2025/07/30
Venus Williams Turns Down Indian Wells Wildcard
Tennis

Venus Williams Gets Wild-card Entry For US Open

2025/07/30
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Tinubu Meets Kwankwaso’s Ally Jibrin Amid Defection Rumour

Sokoto Gov’t Begins Sale Of N5.3bn Fertilizer To Farmers

MTN Doles Out N290m In Ongoing Mega Promo

Bayelsa Gov’t Donates N100m To Support Adamawa Flood Victims

JUST-IN: Federal Gov’t Increases Scholarship Grants By 50%

Coalition Not About Atiku’s 2027 Ambition — ADC

JUST-IN: Gov Alia Sacks Cabinet, Appoints New Chief Of Staff

CAS Tasks 30 New Pilots On Integrity, Commitment To Professionalism

IAWPA Inducts Amb Calvaliereh As Africa’s ‘Most Peaceful Man 2025’ In Ethiopia

INEC, NOA Close Ties To Strengthen Voter Education, Mobilisation

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.