For Dalic, the bronze is equivalent to a gold medal, according to Reragui, their defeat was bitter but deserved

Dalic said after the 2-1 win that they won a "difficult game".

"This is a bronze medal, but it looks like gold to us. I would like to dedicate our victory to the man who started it all, Ciro Blazevic. Boss, even if I win five World Cup medals, you would still be the coach of coaches," he hinted to the Croatians. four years ago, World Cup silver medalist Dalic succeeded his famous predecessor, the legendary national team captain of the third Croatian national team at the 1998 World Cup.

"This is another medal for Croatia. It's a great thing that we won two medals in two consecutive World Cups, a huge recognition for my players."

Miraslav Orsic scored the Croatians' second, winning goal in the 42nd minute with a sumptuous shot that bounced off the post. The 29-year-old footballer made his debut in the national team in 2019, he did not appear in the previous World Cup. The winger emphasized: it will take a few days for them to be able to grasp their victory.

"This was the most important match of my career, which I dedicate to my family and the Croatian fans," he said.

Luka Modric was one of the most stable players of the Croatian team both in the tournament and in the bronze medal match. The 37-year-old midfielder did not declare that this was his last World Cup, he only hinted at it.

"It might have been, but I can't say anything for sure about that right now," he said. He added that he would like to play in the national team, he is still planning the final four of the Nations League in June, and he will see what happens next.

"I am very happy, as I have been throughout my career with the national team, during which I already won my second World Cup medal. I wanted to win the World Cup trophy, it was my big dream, but unfortunately it did not come true. Nevertheless, I am happy with the two World Cup medals I feel," he said. He emphasized: it would have been nice for them to play in the final again, but now they ended the World Cup with a winning match, and they can travel home with the memory of it. He added: the medal is also important for them, because from now on it is not possible to say that the Croatian national team is just a team that "does something every twenty years".

"With the results achieved at the last and current world championships, we managed to put the Croatian national team on the map of the big teams," he said.

Moroccan national team captain Valid Reragui emphasized after the defeat: despite the fact that his players were already tired before the match, the Moroccan team did not give up until the last moment in the match, which was extremely intense, and thus they had a difficult time primarily physically.

"The defeat is bitter, but deserved. We played many memorable matches, we became stronger than when we arrived here. We united our country for a month, we brought joy to everyone, I am sure that people will be waiting for us. We are happy that the world is four we were among his best national team," he declared, and then congratulated the opponent, who, in his opinion, deservedly finished third.

Reragui emphasized: with their march, they showed that the African national team is also capable of reaching the top four at the World Cup. He is convinced that in 15-20 years, the continent will already have a world champion team, if they work hard and properly, and gain additional experience.

"The goal of the Africans and the Moroccans is to win the World Cup one day. Of course, this means an even greater burden and competitive pressure, but Africa is very good. And the Moroccan national team has shown that we are indeed capable of anything, because we are not behind at all. In these matches, small details decide," he declared.

Croatia, silver medalists at the previous World Cup, finished on the podium for the third time on the occasion of their sixth participation in the World Cup, having also won a bronze medal in 1998.

Morocco had to settle for being the first African team to reach the top four.

The last match of the tournament in Qatar will take place on Sunday, in the final, defending champion France will face Argentina.

(Source: Source: sportrajongo.hu, mti/Photo: pixabay, mti)