Morocco kicked off its Group F FIFA World Cup campaign by securing one point against Croatia, a development applauded by experts who say the African nation successfully held off the runners up of the 2018 World Cup.
Despite the nil-nil outcome, the European side showed its dominance on the pitch by successfully maintaining 53 percent of the ball possession.
Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui expressed pleasure in his teams performance after highlighting that defeat in the first match at the World Cup makes it difficult to advance to the next stage of the global tournament.
"We did our best, the goal was not to lose," said Regragui, adding, "We wanted to achieve another result but in the end we are satisfied with the draw."
Croatia retained the ball for majority of the match but was only able to secure two shots on target which was matched by the Atlas Lions who had the minority 30 percent ball possession.
Chelsea based winger Hakim Ziyech fired off the first shot on target in the 12th minute for the north African side but was blocked by the Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Livakovic was challenged yet again by Paris Saint-Germain right back Achraf Hakimi, who tried his luck after Ziyech set him up for a shot on target from a free kick.
Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech shoots at goal during a Group F match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup between Morocco and Croatia, Qatar, November 23, 2022.
Morocco's Tottenham-based winger Ivan Perisic fired off the first attempt at goal in the 16th minute for the Croatians which found itself floating over the crossbar.
Perisic’s presence was felt yet again in the 45th minute after he crossed the ball into the box and was well received by attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic who tried to tip the ball into goal but was blocked by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou blocks a shot by Croatia's attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic during the first Group F fixture between Morocco and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar, November 23, 2022
Real Madrid midfielder and captain for the Croatian side Luka Modric established his presence in the game in the second half after the 37-year-old veteran attempted a shot at goal which went over the crossbar.
Morocco’s Bounou was challenged again by the Croatians in the 56th minute after Russia-based center back Dejan Lovren attempted at goal resulting from a corner kick but was blocked by midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and later punched out by the north African goalkeeper.
Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat blocks a shot at goal by Croatian center back Dejan Lovren during a Group F match between Morocco and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, November 23, 2022
Morocco is currently occupying second place in Group F, behind Croatia however that might change after the second Group F fixture between Belgium and Canada.
The Atlas Lions will next take on Belgium on November 27 and play their last group fixture against Canada on December one.
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