QATAR: Following France and Australia, Croatia and Morocco landed as the next teams ready to face off in FIFA World Cup 2022. However, the electrifying start of the game dragged down as both face off teams ended in a scoreless draw.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 match on Wednesday (November 23, 2022) at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, witnessed Luka Modric’s Croatia held to a scoreless draw by a determined Morocco.
Morocco challenged Croatia to make a save
Croatia, with the exception of Nikola Vlasic’s effort in the first half, did not pose any danger despite possessing the ball for a significant portion of the game.
Vlasic was stopped by Moroccan Yassine Bounou, who shortly before the half’s end produced an amazing save. Morocco started the second half with a similar tempo and pushed Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to make a save. He stopped Noussair Mazraoui’s diving header with his head.
Livakovic also made a comfortable save after Achraf Hakimi teamed with Hakim Ziyech during a set piece and struck a straight shot at the Croatia goalpost.
Ziyech returned to the Moroccan team in September after being sidelined for more than a year owing to a disagreement with his former coach, Vahid Halilhodzic.
Germany and Asian powerhouse Japan is set to square off in their upcoming Group E matchup at the Khalifa International Stadium. Both teams necessitates delivering a strong competition, as seen by their tragic loss a year ago. Manuel Neuer, the starting goalkeeper, establishes history by competing in four consecutive competitions.
Until now, Kai Havertz has been the key man for Germany’s offence, but Thomas Mueller will soon be joining him. Mueller hasn’t played for 90 minutes since September due to injury, but he is finally back in the starting lineup.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: France Thrashes Australia by 4-1