Andrej Kramaric, a forward for Croatia, has rejected the notion that t he third-place matchup on Saturday against Morocco is a meaningless contest.

He believes the victor will live forever.

After losing to Argentina and France in their respective semifinal matches, the two teams will square off at Khalifa International Stadium.

After losing to Les Bleus at Russia 2018, Zlatko Dalic's team was denied a chance at a second straight final, and Walid Regragui's team too saw their underdog tale end in defeat in the championship game.

Despite their disappointment, Kramaric insists that their bronze-medal battle will not be undervalued because the victor secures their position in sporting lore and history.

"I think if you ask this question to Moroccan players, I don't think they will look that way," he said

"They're fighting for their lives because if you win a medal at a World Cup you become an immortal hero in your country. That's the same thing we are going to do.

"Eight of us from [the tournament in] Russia understand that feeling of winning a medal at the World Cup.

"We have a lot of players who haven't experienced that and would love to do that because it's something that will stay with you for the rest of their life."

Croatia – whose prior best performance in a World Cup had been third at France 1998 before Russia – are looking to claim a third tournament medal in their history.

For Morocco, regardless of their result, they will already go down as the greatest World Cup side in African history, having become the first from the continent to make the semi-finals.