Croatia will face Morocco in the third-place play-off of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. So, HITC Football looks at who would join Luka Modric and Achraf Hakimi in a possible combined XI.
The midfielder and defender have been leading lights of their respective nations’ efforts at the quadrennial FIFA tournament this year. Now, they will clash at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday, December 17 to decide who flies back home with the bronze spoon.
Croatia fell short of repeating their run to the World Cup final at Russia 2018 as they lost to Argentina. While Morocco became the most successful African nation ever by reaching the semi-finals. But the defending champions, France, would end their fairy tale at Qatar 2022.
Luka Modric and Achraf Hakimi headline our combined Croatia vs Morocco XI
Morocco shrugged off their underdog tag to eliminate 2010 champions Spain in the Round of 16 on penalties. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal could not boot the Atlas Lions out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals, either. Morocco’s resilience has been hugely admirable.
Croatia, on the other hand, clawed their way through the World Cup on their defending as Zlatko Dalic’s side has often been void of any creativity. Rarely did Vatreni inspire much joy en route to another semi-final in Qatar. They were also often second-best in their matches.
Now, though, two teams whose defences have been the pillar of their campaigns will meet in the third-place play-off. So, HITC Football has taken a look at who would join Modric and Hakimi in a combined XI of Croatia’s and Morocco’s stars from the 2022 Qatar World Cup…
Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou (GK): Morocco’s hero edges Croatia’s star in our combined XI
The third-place play-off between Croatia and Morocco will see two goalkeepers who could make a combined XI feature. But the Atlas Lions’ Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou edges Vatreni star Dominik Livakovic in our XI. He has commanded his box and produced a host of vital saves.
Achraf Hakimi (RB): Morocco’s TOTT-bound star makes our combined XI vs Croatia
Hakimi is surely a shoo-in to make the World Cup Team of the Tournament for Qatar 2022. So, the Paris Saint-Germain dynamo naturally makes a combined Morocco vs Croatia XI. He has been sublime on the right-hand side with endless charging runs and solid defending.
Romain Saiss (CB): The rock of Morocco’s XI makes our combined line-up vs Croatia
Romain Saiss was the rock of Morocco’s historic run to become the first African nation to play in a World Cup semi-final. But a leg injury saw medics stretcher the ex-Wolves ace off in their quarter-final tie. He was then unable to play more than 21 minutes against France.
Josko Gvardiol (CB): Croatia’s rising star is a shoo-in for any combined XI vs Morocco
Josko Gvardiol is only 20 years old but could make the Team of the Tournament and is also a shoo-in for any combined Croatia vs Morocco XI. The RB Leipzig star has led Vatreni’s line in Qatar by seizing possession and starting counter-attacks in a flurry of dominant displays.
Now, the Zagreb native may soon be bound for the Premier League as clubs chase a move. Alfredo Pedulla reports Manchester City have told RB Leipzig they are ready to pay €130m (£113m). Pep Guardiola hopes to beat Real Madrid, who are prepared to bid €90m (£79m).
Tottenham Hotspur also aspire to bring Gvardiol to England come the summer of 2023, per TuttoMercatoWEB. Ivan Perisic has even been selling his compatriot on the move whilst at the World Cup. But The Telegraph also cites Chelsea as a possible destination for Gvardiol.
Borna Sosa (LB): Neither nation has seen their full-backs shine at Qatar 2022 (so far)
Neither Morocco nor Croatia has yet seen their left-sided full-backs shine at Qatar 2022. In the Atlas Lions’ team, Noussair Mazraoui has only had a limited impact at either end of the field. While Borna Sosa often pushes forward for Vatreni but he has lacked an end product.
Sosa has regularly been a shadow of the creative presence he is with VFB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. Only Angelino (57) has offered a higher volume of crosses from open play than Sosa (51) in the German top-flight this term. Bild also reports Newcastle United want him.
The Toon will face competition from Inter Milan and Atalanta from Serie A to land the 24-year-old. But Sosa is ready to take the next step in his career after four years at Stuttgart.
Sofyan Amrabat (CM): Multiple Premier League clubs are now lining up at his door
Newcastle may use the 2022 World Cup third-place play-off between Morocco and Croatia as a scouting opportunity for their XI. Along with the Toon’s interest in Sosa, the Daily Mail reports Magpies boss Eddie Howe is one of several managers keen to get Sofyan Amrabat.
The Morocco midfielder also features on transfer shortlists at Atletico Madrid plus Premier League rivals Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham United. Amrabat has attracted a flurry of suitors after his sensational World Cup setting the tone with crisp play on the ball.
Luka Modric (CM): Croatia’s captain to bow out with the bronze spoon on Saturday?
Modric has now captained Croatia to successive World Cup semi-finals and made the final at Russia 2018. But Saturday’s third-place play-off with Morocco will be his final fixture at the tournament. The 37-year-old admitted before Qatar 2022 that it is his last World Cup.
Azzedine Ounahi (CM): Newcastle are chasing another of Morocco’s World Cup stars
Azzedine Ounahi is one of the 2022 World Cup’s biggest breakout talents. The 22-year-old has produced an array of superb showings with his all-action approach. His skill on the ball dazzled against Portugal. It has also forced the Morocco man onto some transfer shortlists.
According to 90min, Newcastle, West Ham, Wolves and Southampton are all tracking the Angers SCO star. Atalanta, Barcelona, Inter and Juventus have also considered moves over the last 12 months. But L’Equipe reports Leicester City are now ready to pay €45m (£39m).
Hakim Ziyech (RW): Always a threat on Morocco’s wings but he can also try too hard
Hakim Ziyech has near enough always been a threat on Morocco’s right wing at the 2022 World Cup. But he has also tried too hard to make an impact in some of their ties. His silky runs get the Chelsea ace into dangerous areas at ease. Yet he can also lack an end product.
Youssef En-Nesyri (ST): Neither nation has seen their striker reach top form in Qatar
Andrej Kramaric is Croatia’s top-scorer at the 2022 World Cup with two goals ahead of four players with one. Likewise, Youssef En-Nesyri is Morocco’s lead marksman with two ahead of three players on one goal. Neither has hit their best form in Qatar over sustained periods.
So, En-Nesyri only just edges Kramaric for a spot in our combined third-place play-off XI of Croatia and Morocco players. Both produced their best performance against Canada in the group stage. But En-Nesyri also gave Portugal some problems during their knockout match.
Ivan Perisic (LW): The Tottenham ace has been Croatia’s only attacking star in Qatar
Perisic has, arguably, been Croatia’s only positive attacking presence throughout the 2022 World Cup. The Tottenham star has delivered trademark tireless displays in Qatar. He also has Vatreni’s best goal involvement (1 scored, 2 assisted), yet gave little in the semi-finals.
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