WORLD CUP: Croatia beat Morocco to finish third

Superb goals from Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic helped Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 to finish in third place for the second time at a World Cup.

The victory also sees Croatia captain Luka Modric end what is likely to be his last World Cup with a bronze medal, although the 37-year-old has yet to call time on his international career.

Defeat for Morocco saw them miss out on the chance to become the first African nation to pick up a medal at a World Cup, while Croatia’s win clinched their third top-three finish at the tournament after ending as runners-up to France four years ago.

Croatia took a seventh-minute lead through a stunning diving header from Gvardiol to cap off a fine tournament for the impressive 20-year-old center-back.

But Morocco responded immediately as Achraf Dari nodded home from close range just two minutes later.

Croatia restored their lead, though, in the 42nd minute with a wonderful curling winner from Orsic as his first-time effort inside the box bent past Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and went in off the far post.

Morocco came close to a late equaliser but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic denied Youssef En-Nesyri to ensure they claimed their second World Cup bronze medal after achieving the feat in 1998. (Sky Sports)