Modric’s Croatia held 0-0 by gritty Morocco

NEW DELHI: Morocco rendered Croatia’s creative force Luka Modric largely ineffectual to hold the 2018 runners-up to a goalless draw in Group F at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old 2018 Ballon d’or winner was reduced to committing fouls and lost the ball at times in dangerous areas as Morocco, spearheaded by Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi, hustled Croatia with their speed and pressing brilliantly. Morocco, though, could not find the breakthrough and Croatia raised their tempo late in either half to find some openings but could not get clear chances.

Morocco, 22nd in the FIFA rankings to Croatia’s 12 but a younger bunch, caused plenty of difficulty to Croatia with a consistently high tempo and counterpressing, narrowing the pitch much like what Saudi Arabia did in their shock 2-1 win over Argentina on Tuesday.

Croatia’s strength lies in controlling the midfield with Modric pulling the strings, but that was hardly the case. Instead, Ziyech, playing off the right wing, rattled Croatia in a two-minute spell in the first half. His left-footed cross from the right missed Youssef En-nesyri’s attempted header by a whisker, and Morocco didn’t cash in on a free ball inside the box immediately after. Modric then fouled Ziyech 25 yards out to concede a free-kick but the Morocco winger shot into the Croatia wall.

Forward Ivan Perisic’s 17thminute try that flew just over the bar had been Croatia’s rare chance until almost the break when his team came alive. Borna Sosa shook off his marker with a run down the left and laid it on for Nicola Vlasic, but his sliding attempt was blocked by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Morocco almost scored in the 51st minute after Noussair Mazraoui met a cross into the box with a diving header, but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic blocked it. Modric conceded another freekick after a foul on Selim Amallah but Achraf Hakimi’s shot from 30 yards out was batted away by Livakovic.

Croatia did cause problems for Morocco in the final minutes, but the defence held on.