The runner-up begins a new challenge against Morocco

The runner-up begins a new challenge against Morocco

Luka Modric's Croatia debuts in Qatar in search of commanding the demanding Group F

MADRID, 22 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Croatian team, current runner-up in the world, begins this Wednesday against Morocco (11:00 Spanish peninsular time) their adventure in the World Cup in Qatar, where, led by Real Madrid player Luka Modric, they aspire to command a Group F in which Belgium also compete and Canada, something that happens by first beating the 'Lions of the Atlas'.

With the bar high after reaching the final in Russia 2018, where they lost to France (4-2), the Balkan team arrives at the Asian event knowing that it will be difficult to repeat the feat, but with the confidence that their five-win streak gives them consecutive signed before traveling to Qatar.

Zlatko Dalic's men closed the League of Nations with four victories that helped them rise to first place, leaving the French and Danes out of the game, and to seal their ticket to the Final Four. A few days ago, they also beat Saudi Arabia (0-1), who on Tuesday gave the surprise against Argentina, in their only friendly before the tournament.

The round of 16 matches could make him meet again with Spain, his executioner in 2021 at the Euro Cup, but first he must endorse his good feelings by surpassing his debut in Qatar, where he will once again be led by a veteran Luka Modric who faces his last World Cup.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), defenders Domagoj Vida (AEK) and Dejan Lovren (Zenit), midfielders Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) and Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), and forwards Ivan Perisic (Tottenham) and Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim). ) are other of the survivors of Russia 2018 and who will also try to contribute to the premiere.

Opposite, Morocco faces its sixth World Cup participation, second in a row, with the dream of reaching the round of 16, something it has only achieved once, in Mexico'86.

The North African team, which only added a draw -precisely against the Spanish team (2-2)- in Russia, goes to Jor in search of giving the bell against the runner-up to tie the third victory in its history in World Cups, after from a 1-3 against Portugal in Mexico'86 and a 0-3 against Scotland in France'98.

To do this, it will rely on up to 20 'European' players, including the Barça winger on loan at Osasuna Ez Abde and the Chelsea striker Hakim Ziyech, who arrived in Qatar with discomfort. Sevilla's Yassine Bono, low sticks, and Youssef En-Nesyri, above, will start in Walid Regragui's team.

MARRUECOS: Bono; Achraf, Saïss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Amrabat, Amallah, Ounahi; Boufal, Ziyech and En Nesyri.

CROACIA: Livakovic; Sosa, Gvardiol, Lovren, Juranovic; Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric; Peresic, Vlasic y Kramaric.

-- Referee: Fernando Rapallini (ARG).

--ESTADIO: Al Bayt.

--TIME: 11.00 Spanish peninsular time / World Goal and Movistar.