Luka Modric's Croatia have made a frustrating start to the Qatar World Cup with the 2018 runners-up held to a goalless draw by stubborn Morocco.
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Chances were sparse with Real Madrid's Modric among those coming closest in the opening match in Group F which also features Belgium and Canada who meet later in the day.
The Atlas Lions contained Croatia well for most of Wednesday's game but also failed to manage a breakthrough in Al Khor.
A long-distance attempt from Ivan Perisic went over the crossbar before Croatia came closest just before intermission, Nikola Vlasic denied by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou from close range after a fast move, and Modric then blazing high from the edge of the area.
The 37-year-old Modric and his team also lacked ideas in the second half and their goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic had to palm away a fierce but not very accurate free-kick from Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi in the 65th.
Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, back in the Morocco squad under new coach Walid Regragui, also failed to make a decisive impact as the game ended in the third 0-0 of the tournament.
Australian Associated Press
