Croatia’s run to a second consecutive World Cup semi-final was nothing in need of exceptional for the tiny Balkan nation and even Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Argentina does not diminish their achievements on soccer’s largest stage.
Six years in the past it was barely potential to achieve the final 4 in Russia and Qatar. Croatia had been a group nearly in disarray, with their followers preventing one another at Euro 2016 and the management of the Croatian FA dealing with corruption expenses.
The appointment of Ante Cacic, a former TV repairman, as head coach solely fueled the fires of discontent.
Fast ahead to Qatar, the place Croatia entered the event as 2018 runners-up with an getting older squad led by 37-year-old Luka Modric and Zlatko Dalić, who had changed Cacic previous to the 2018 event.
Coming via their group with a win over Canada and a draw in opposition to Belgium and stunning semi-finalists Morocco, conceding just one aim alongside the best way, the Croats confirmed they had been once more a pressure to be reckoned with. No longer the explosive attacking group of 2018 that shocked England within the semi-finals earlier than shedding to France within the closing, Croatia have matured right into a well-oiled machine the place every participant is aware of what it takes to get a end result.
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premiumTheir midfield of Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic and Modric appeared so stable that teammate Josip Juranovic stated it was “safer than having money in the bank”, whereas 20-year-old defender Josko Guardiol pulled the plug on the again.
Croatia overcame Japan in a shootout within the spherical of 16 and dealt a blow to the event by eliminating five-time champions Brazil in the identical method. In one other show of psychological fortitude, Croatia conceded an extra-time aim to Brazil’s Neymar, however got here out of bother with a 117th-minute equalizer via Bruno Petkovic.
Before Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Croatia had wanted penalties or further time in 5 of the six knockout matches on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He received all 4 of his penalty shootouts.
“I have nothing to blame the boys for, now we have to raise our heads and prepare for the (third-place) game,” Dalik stated.
“If somebody had provided us this earlier than the event, we might have accepted it. We’re actually proud.”
Few would query Croatia’s dedication within the match to resolve third place in Qatar. Their opponents will probably be recognized when defending champions France face Morocco within the different semi-final on Wednesday.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
