2018 runners-up Croatia at the hands of Morocco

Croatia, runners-up four years ago, began their World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against a well-drilled Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Morocco were impressive but did not create clear chances.

Belgium play Canada in the other Group F match at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Croatia, ranked 12th in the world by FIFA, dominated possession as expected but were unable to create chances or break down Morocco, who have lost just two of their last 40 games in three years.

The best chance in a game with just two shots on goal per side came in first-half stoppage time when Vlasic deflected a cross from the left at goal, but the midfielder, on loan from Torino from West Ham, to be denied by the right foot of Yassine Bounou, who stretched out to close the angle.

22nd-ranked Morocco went closest when Noussair Mazraoui followed up on a deflected shot and saw his header deflected wide.

Paris St-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi also tested Dominik Livakovic, but the Croatia goalkeeper dealt with his fall and easily turned away a 35-yard strike.

It was a game played largely in the middle third of the pitch, with both sides potentially doomed to lose and damage their chances of progressing to the knockout stages of a group that also contains Belgium and Canada.

The goalless draw is the third of this World Cup, following Denmark’s opener against Tunisia and Poland against Mexico on Tuesday. There was just one in the entire 2018 tournament in Russia.

Croatia play Canada next Sunday (16:00 GMT), while Morocco face Belgium on the same day (13:00).

Get the latest results and goal notifications for any team at the FIFA World Cup by downloading the BBC Sport app: apple – android – Amazon

Get your daily dose of FIFA World Cup reaction, debate and analysis Daily World Cup on BBC Sounds