The World Cup dream is over for Croatia after a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina ran out 3-0 winners in Qatar on Tuesday evening - although the journey isn't done just yet for Zlatko Dalic's men.
Having squeezed through the groups despite winning just one game in the 4-1 win over Canada, Croatia took on Japan in Al Wakrah; emerging as winners on penalties after some dreadful penalties by the Asian outfit. Advancing to a tie against Brazil, nobody gave them a chance - especially when Neymar scored deep into the first half of extra time.
However, Bruno Petkovic's late strike and heroics from Dominik Livakovic saw another potential deep run on the cards, though Messi and Julian Alvarez - the master and the apprentice - put an end to that.
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However, they could still gain some form of a win by winning in the third and fourth place play-off; although they will have to wait until Wednesday evening to find out who they play. Football.london gives you all the details on who they could face.
When is the World Cup third-place play-off?
The game will be held on Saturday, December 17 at 3pm UK time. The match will be held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Doha.
How can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast on UK screens via BBC One or BBC iPlayer. Coverage begins at 2:30pm UK time.
Who could Croatia face?
Croatia could face France in the World Cup once again and make a reenactment of the 2018 final - should Les Blues lose to Morocco on Wednesday evening. Of course, should they progress against the African outfit, that will mean Morocco shall await the eastern European outfit.
What happened in the last World Cup third-placed play-off?
Belgium and England lost to France and Croatia respectively in the 2018 tournament, meaning that the two faced off the day before the final. Goals from Eden Hazard and Thomas Meunier set the Red Devils to the bronze medal in Saint Petersburg, meaning England were the fourth-best team in the entire tournament.
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