It's Bad to be the Best of the Losers, Orsic?

 

Croatia fell one stage shorter of winning World Cup 2022 than they did World Cup 2018. They were looking to cheer themselves up by winning the Third Place Playoff. Morocco have made history by being the first nation from the African continent to make the Semi-Finals of a World Cup. Could they make more history by finishing Third?

Morocco's downfall against France was the early goal their opponents scored. Morocco had not given up a goal to their opponents all tournament. France found their first just 5 minutes into the match. Croatia needed a little more time. In the 7th minute, a Croatian free kick resulted Josko Gvardiol header that scored. Morocco would need just 2 minutes to respond. In the 9th minute, a Moroccan freekick would lead to a header by Achraf Dari that would find the back of the net. With the match tied at 1 apiece everything was to play for.

Croatia would find a winner in just the 42nd minute. Pressuring Morocco in the box, it looked like they had lost the ball only to win it back, play it to the left where Mislav Orsic would place the ball over Yassine Bounou into the side of the goal. Though both sides battled for the next 45 minutes, the goals wouldn't come. Your Third Place Playoff winners: Croatia.

Contestant	Croatia	Prediction	P. L61	Score	Pks	P. L62	Score	Pks	Trifecta	Points	Oracle	Total	3rd Place	Match Bonus
Artifex	Croatia	Netherlands	Netherlands	2	none	Belgium	0	none	0	0	2	2	0	0
Colubris	Croatia	Portugal	Netherlands	1	none	Portugal	2	none	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fortuitous	Croatia	Tunisia	Switzerland	1	none	Tunisia	2	none	0	0	0	0	0	0
Historicus	Croatia	Draw	Brazil	2	1	France	2	0	0	0	2	2	0	0
IoannesNix	Croatia	Germany	Germany	3	none	Wales	1	none	0	0	2	2	0	0
Musicus	Croatia	Belgium	Argentina	2	none	Belgium	5	none	0	0	2	2	0	0
Praeceptor	Croatia	Uruguay	Denmark	1	none	Uruguay	2	none	0	0	0	0	0	0
ReginaApis	Croatia	Argentina	Argentina	1	none	Portugal	0	none	0	0	0	0	0	0
Scriptor	Croatia	Brazil	Brazil	2	none	Portugal	0	none	0	0	2	2	0	0

Table:

Rank	Contestant	Points	Oracle
1	Historicus	603	83
2	Musicus	588	93
3	Colubris	548	68
4	ReginaApis	506	66
5	Scriptor	463	63
6	Artifex	299	49
7	Praeceptor	274	69
8	IoannesNix	245	45
9	Fortuitous	234	79

There were hardly any points won in this match. Only a few players predicted half the score. No one had this matchup, nor Croatia finishing in 3rd Place. There will again be no Player of the Day. Tomorrow the tournament concludes with France and Argentina playing for the Championship. Historicus has chosen Argentina to win. Musicus has opted for France. The nation that wins the World Cup will also win the Puchar Zladupki for one of these competitors. 

Sleep Well, My Crias.

The Grand Salmon Alpacca