Morocco join list of semi-final surprise packages

Croatia, 1998

Croatia participated in their first World Cup in France in 1998, just two years after the national team's first taste of a major international tournament at the 1996 UEFA European Championship.

Amazingly, the Croatians reached the semi-finals. Wins over Jamaica and Japan in the group stage meant they finished second in their group. They went on to beat Romania 1-0 in the round of 16 thanks to a penalty from main man Davor Suker.

A stunning 3-0 victory over Germany in the quarter-finals qualified them for the final four, where they lost to the hosts and eventual winners France, this after taking the lead through Suker.

They ultimately finished third, beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the third place play-off match with goals from Robert Prosinecki and Suker, who ended the tournament with the Golden Boot.