Croatian centre-back, Josko Gvardiol, scored a brilliant diving header in the opening minutes of the nation's World Cup 2022 third-place play-off against Morocco, nodding in a move straight off the training ground.
Gvardiol, who has been heavily linked with a move away from RB Leipzig following his impressive performances at the World Cup, scored just the second international goal of his career during the seventh minute of the game, and his first at the tournament in his fledgling career.
With the free-kick 40 yards out and off-centre, Luka Modric chipped the ball into the box, onto the head of Ivan Perisic. Perisic managed to head it back towards the centre of the goal with an expert swivel of his neck, right into an enticing position in the penalty area.
Stood a few yards further back, Gvardiol proceeded to launch himself at the ball, desperate to make contact despite the protective mask he is wearing after picking up a facial injury a month ago while playing for his club.
This set-piece was beautiful 😍Josko Gvardiol diving like a salmon to put Croatia ahead against Morocco!📺💻📱 Watch on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport app.#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/SqbeMdjMPlDecember 17, 2022
The contact he made proved perfect, the 20-year-old powering a header straight into the top corner of Bono's Moroccan goal.
However, Croatia's lead stood for a little over a minute. Goalscorer Gvardiol fouled Hakim ZIyech on Morocco's right wing, providing a promising position for the African side to benefit from.
And benefit they did. Morocco put the free-kick into the box, straight onto the head of Achraf Dari as he equalised in the game.
Morocco made history reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, becoming the first-ever African nation to achieve that milestone in the tournament's history. However, a third-place finish would cement their status within football, while Croatia are looking for another medal to add to their collection.
Indeed, the European nation finished third at the 1998 World Cup, beating the Netherlands 2-1. They then reached the final in 2018, falling at the final hurdle to a formidable France side. Another third-place finish wouldn't go amiss, though, something Gvardiol set them on their way towards until Dari's equaliser.
