Football

World Cup 2022: Real Madrid and Croatia have the same winning DNA

France 98 saw Croatia bestowed with the dark horse’s tag. After successive semi-final appearances in Russia and Qatar, the Blazers have shrugged it aside and established themselves as footballing powerhouses. 

Croatia

There is a possibility that a repeat of the Russia 2018 final between Croatia and France. Les Bleus have to overcome stubborn Morocco to book their place while a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina stands in the Blazers’ way. 

Given the talent at Didier Deschamps’s disposal, a deep run at the World Cup was expected. The same cannot be said about Zlatko Dalic’s side, who do not have the same resources. 

Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic retired in the aftermath of their 2018 final run. Luka Modric was supposed to toe the line but continues to blossom despite his advancing age. Ivan Perisic is also on the wrong side of 30, and so are Andrej Kramaric, Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida. 

A team with tiring legs should not have made this far into the competition. But the winning instinct instilled in them has allowed them to push the boundaries this far. 

Modric finds similarities between the national side and his professional employers that see them progress in competitions while others fail to do so. Los Blancos continue to fight until the final whistle, the winning instinct that has allowed them to capture 14 Champions League titles. 

Moreover, Croatia are discounted in international competitions and does not start as the favourites. This keeps them away from the limelight and the unnecessary pressure that comes with it.

“You could say we have the same DNA as Real Madrid because we always keep going until the end, and never give up,” Modric told EL Chiringuito. 

“Everyone looks at the big countries, as we are a small country, nobody takes us into account, but we don’t have a problem with that, as others are the favourites, and we are in the shadows.”

Anything to progress in Qatar 2022

Japan beat Spain and Germany to book their place in the Round of 16. Despite beating the former world champions, they could not get past the Blazers. After defeating the vanquishers of two world champions, Croatia took matters into their own hands and ended Brazil’s run in Qatar. 

Both fixtures took a lot out of the ageing Croatians as the meetings were decided on penalties after 120 minutes of action. Given the short turnaround between fixtures, this could play a part in their upcoming meetings where every small detail counts.

Modric admitted that finishing matches earlier is their preference and they would like to avoid the penalty shootout lottery. The team will do anything to win and has to go through these trials and tribulations as part of it.

“Of course, we would like to finish (the matches) earlier, and not go to penalties, but we are willing to do everything we can to win,” Modric shared. 

Modric is at the end of his tether as he adds to his 160 international caps for Croatia since his 2006 debut. In the semi-final, he will come across Lionel Messi, who stands at a similar juncture in his career. 

Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Modric is one of the few players who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with La Pulga. The Portuguese is back in Madeira sulking at being knocked out and one of these two greats will join him. 

Luka Modric


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