Is there a more bittersweet match in the World Cup than the third-place play-off?
The DAZN Bet trading team preview the one game neither team really wanted to be in. Odds* provided by DAZN Bet.
CROATIA V MOROCCO – 3RD PLACE PLAY-OFF – 15:00 – DECEMBER 17
The two teams who progressed from Group H will compete against each other once more, when beaten Semi Finalists Croatia and Morocco face each other in the 3rd Place Play-Off in Al Rayyan.
Croatia couldn’t replicate their run to the final from four years ago, eventually falling 3-0 to Argentina, however, it feels like this has been another successful tournament for the Croatians, who have once again exceeded themselves at a World Cup.
Despite losing 2-0 to current World Cup holders France in the Semi Finals, Morocco will be more than delighted to have become the first African side to progress beyond the Quarter Finals. They have also become just the third non-UEFA or CONMEBOL side to reach the last four of a World Cup.
As far as this match is concerned, the 3rd place play-off always feels like a very anti-climatic prequel to the Final. However, there’s more than enough to suggest that this could still be an important match for both teams.
Finishing third should be viewed as an achievement in itself, but for Croatia it will be one final World Cup match for captain Luka Modric. The Real Madrid midfielder could be joined by 33-year-olds Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida in making one last appearance, with all four combining for nearly 450 International caps.
Morocco, on the other hand, will have an opportunity to round off their fantastic tournament on a positive note, and will be hoping for one final show of solidarity before heading back home. Whether they can rely on their previous crowd support remains to be seen, but history is firmly in the Croatian’s corner for this one.
Sixteen of the nineteen previous 3rd place play-offs have been won by UEFA representatives, including Croatia’s victory over Netherlands in 1998.
Ten of the previous eleven encounters have had at least three goals, whilst 1986 is the only time when extra time was needed to determine the winner.
With all this in mind, we believe it’s best to stick with the historical trend and take Croatia to take home the bronze medal with a handful of goals.
Traders’ Tip: Croatia To Win & Over 2.5 Goals @ 5/2. A £10 bet at these odds could return £35.
ARGENTINA V FRANCE – FINAL – 15:00 – DECEMBER 18
After four weeks of surprise results, questionable decisions, memorable moments, numerous goalless first halves, and penalty drama we have finally arrived at the pinnacle of the quadrennial footballing calendar, the FIFA World Cup Final.
France entered the tournament rocked by late absentees. N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema were amongst the big names who have missed out through injury, but this has not stopped Les Bleus in their quest to retain the trophy they won four years ago.
Kylian Mbappe has proven to be both a consistent threat in terms of goalscoring and creating chances. The PSG man has scored five and assisted two goals so far. Whilst Olivier Giroud’s four goals in Qatar means that he has now become France’s all-time leading scorer.
Argentina suffered a shock opening round defeat to Saudi Arabia, but they have been spurred on since that early setback by a determined Lionel Messi.
The seven time Ballon d’Or winner has stated that this will be his last World Cup game, and he now has one last shot at winning the one competition that has evaded him during his illustrious career.
Much like Mbappe, Messi also has five goals during the tournament so far, whilst forward Julian Alvarez also matches Olivier Giroud’s record of scoring four times during the tournament. Showing that the two teams, in attack at least, are pretty evenly matched.
Defensively, both sides have shown moments of uncertainty. Argentina surrendered a two goal lead to the Netherlands in their Quarter Final tie, eventually needing a penalty shootout to overcome the Dutch. Whilst France had to survive a stern second half showing against England in their Quarter Final encounter, but they eventually progressed without the need for extra time following Harry Kane’s late penalty miss.
It’s no surprise to us that the two teams are virtually inseparable, however, we think that Argentina’s familiarity with the Lusail Stadium might work in their favour. This will be their fifth match in the near 90,000 capacity stadium, whilst France will be appearing here for the first time on Sunday.
Nobody wants to see a dull encounter either. Four years ago these two played out a seven goal thriller in Kazan in the Round of 16, with France
eventually coming out on top, and we will be hoping for another high scoring encounter in Qatar on Sunday, but this time with the Argentinian team coming out on top.
Traders’ Tip: Argentina To Win & Over 3.5 Goals @ 11/1. A £10 bet at these odds could return £120
*Odds correct at time of publishing. Available to UK residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18+ only. T&Cs apply. www.begambleaware.org