3rd/4th Place Playoff

[LinekersLegs]

That was one hell of a kick for this late in the game

 

[Librarian]

Chance

 

[Martin Alvito]

Has there ever been a red in this 3rd place match?

Quick scan of a list says no. Six semi-final sendings off, most recently Laurent Blanc in 1998. Four in a final by my count, most recently Heitinga in 2010.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Croatia win it and take third. Morocco a heroic fourth. Well played both.

 

[Librarian]

It’s more or less a friendly and they’re hounding the ref

 

[LinekersLegs]

Congrats Croatia.

Morocco done in by injuries in the end but fought hard

 

[LinekersLegs]

 

[LinekersLegs]

Quick scan of a list says no. Six semi-final sendings off, most recently Laurent Blanc in 1998. Four in a final by my count, most recently Heitinga in 2010.

Morocco were pretty lucky not to add an unwelcome first to that list - pushed the ref multiple times

 

[Martin Alvito]

Morocco were pretty lucky not to add an unwelcome first to that list - pushed the ref multiple times

I would like to have seen the Vegas prop bet odds on the referee leaving the stadium alive if he sent a Moroccan player off for dissent/contact with the ref.

Fun bit of trivia - Blanc got sent off for slapping Slaven Bilic. Bet there are a lot of people out there these days who would call that one justifiable.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Congrats @stipe

 

[LinekersLegs]

From guardian mbm, such a classy guy
“Luka Modric poses for a selfie with one of the Moroccan backroom staff, then runs across to rejoin his mates as they celebrate in front of the Croatia fans. He’s been killing teams softly for over 15 years, and the World Cup will seriously miss him.”

 

[LinekersLegs]

 

[LinekersLegs]

 

[Cameron Manning]

View attachment 196694
Saturday 17th December
Khalifa International Stadium
Match 63/64
Croatia v Morocco

So here is the swansong, the match for the ugly bride, dumped at the altar. Germany have set the record for the most appearances in this match that no one wants to play in. Though I bet England and their media friendly squad would love to be participating in this. But lets not make it about them, let them fight over ownership of a soon to be pampered in luxury cat. That is unless Declan Rice gain custody in which case the poor moggy will live its fife out in fear of Kurt Zouma calling round.

So Luca Modric potential swansong. This fantastic little maestro will possibly have his last outing for his national team unless he and his teammates are emotionally drained from their Semi Final defeat to the Argies. The Moroccans on the other hand really gave the French a go despite the exact same scoreline in their Semi Final. They seemed to want it more than the Croats. Can the Croat midfield muster the energy for one last game against the tournaments big surprise, Morocco? Will the match be Croatia B's v Morocco Bs? At least there is a game of togger on Saturday to help the ale flow.

Discuss

Very good post Pooty and you called it right about Modric,what a fantastic player.

 

[toffee82]

Morocco were pretty lucky not to add an unwelcome first to that list - pushed the ref multiple times

Pushing the ref should be instant red card.

Crazy how refs are harassed by players.