Real Madrid News
Official: Modric wins bronze as Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 | World Cup third-place playoff
Luka Modric and Croatia have secured a third-place finish at the FIFA World Cup 2022 following their 2-1 win over Morocco today at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Croatia, who were runners-up at the previous World Cup in Qatar, were defeated by Argentina in the semi-finals earlier this week. With France getting the better of giant-killers Morocco in the second semi-final, the two teams ended up facing off against each other in the third-place playoff.
And Croatia were off to a blazing start as Josko Gvardiol, who has been one of the stars of the World Cup, put them ahead with a brilliant headed goal just seven minutes in. However, Morocco struck back less than two minutes later through Achraf Dari’s header.
Both teams continued to search for a second goal and it was a moment of magic from Mislav Orsic in the 42nd minute that put Croatia ahead.
Morocco tried hard to equalise, while the 2018 runners-up had their fair share of chances to kill the game off in the second period. However, no more goals were scored as Croatia held on to their one-goal advantage and secure a third-place finish and Bronze Medal at the World Cup.
Modric, who had already confirmed that this will be his last World Cup, performed admirably throughout the tournament despite being 37 years old. And while it is not the ultimate prize, a Bronze Medal is a deserved send-off for the veteran star.
Croatia take the #FIFAWorldCup 3rd spot! 🇭🇷🥉@adidasfootball | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 17, 2022
He played 98 minutes in total against Morocco today, completing 93% of his attempted passes while winning five of the seven duels he attempted.
Whether he decides to retire from international football or plans to continue until the UEFA Euro 2024 remains to be seen.
There is no way back for Eden Hazard at Real Madrid. The Belgian international has not given the management any reason to have faith in his abilities over his past four seasons at the club and is unsurprisingly the most important departure for the Merengues in the summer.
Hazard has one more year on his contract in Madrid. However, it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti does not trust him and that any potential replacement manager in the summer will echo his stance.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Fenerbahce are willing to go all out to sign Hazard this summer. The Turkish side have made the former Chelsea their prime target, yet face a steep task ahead of them.
The 32-year-old is hellbent on seeing out his contract with Los Blancos despite seeing his career sink right before his eyes. It thus becomes complicated for the party to lure away the forward, especially in a competition outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Fenerbahce attempted to sign the winger in the recently concluded winter transfer market. They reached an agreement with Real Madrid but failed to get over the line as they could not convince the player of the move.
The biggest obstacle for the Turkish side will be convincing Hazard to make the move by letting go of his lucrative contract in Madrid. The chances are slim, but not impossible.
Hazard has made just three league appearances and one start for Ancelotti’s side this season in La Liga, a steep fall from last season’s 18 and seven respectively.
His last appearance for the team came back in January when Real Madrid faced Cacereno in the Copa del Rey. In La Liga however, he last played in September 2022 in a 4-1 win over Mallorca.
