Image:Croatia celebrate with their third-place medals

Morocco are the first African and Arab nation to make it through to the semi-finals in a World Cup after defying expectations earlier in the tournament.

Croatia have finished third in the World Cup after beating Morocco in the third-fourth place play-off in Qatar.

Josko Gvardiol scored Croatia’s first goal in the opening 10 minutes but Morocco’s Achraf Dari equalised soon after.

At 1-1, Morocco’s hopes of becoming the first African nation to reach third place were still alive.

But Mislav Orsic restored Croatia’s lead before half time to make it 2-1.

Morocco had one final chance during six minutes of extra time, but Youssef En-Nesyri missed a shot on goal.

Youssef En-Nesyri after missing a goal in extra time
Image:Youssef En-Nesyri after missing a goal in extra time
Morocco players after the final whistle
Image:Morocco players after the final whistle

Croatia finished runners-up to France at the last World Cup in Russia.

Morocco’s victory over Portugal in the quarter-finals was one of many upsets in the tournament in Qatar.

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Croatia fans celebrate win
Croatian fans celebrate third place in Zagreb
Image:Croatian fans celebrate third place in Zagreb

It saw Morocco become the first Arab and African nation in history to make the final four, where they were beaten by France.

Argentina, like France, will be vying for their country’s third World Cup win in the final on Sunday.

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