AS THE WORLD CUP DREAM CAME TO AN END, CROATIA AND MOROCCO WILL FACE OFF FOR BRONZE ON SATURDAY

By Rashmi Goel

As Both Croatia and Morocco are recovering from their World Cup semifinal losses, and they will look forward to facing each other in the third-place playoff on Saturday. The semifinals proved too much for Croatia and Morocco, who defied pre-tournament odds to reach the semifinals. As the first African team to reach the final four of football's showpiece event, Walid Regragui's fearless squad rewrote history along the way. Despite the result, they will be welcomed home as heroes, not only earning the respect of the continent but also finding a place in the hearts of neutral fans who appreciate a good underdog story.

After a 0-0 draw in their group opener, Croatia and Morocco will face off in Qatar again, just as Belgium and England faced off in the group stage and third-place playoff in 2018. Mentally, it will be challenging. As far as the players who did not play will be concerned, I will give them an opportunity and we will try to achieve third place," said Regragui.