The Croatian team received a heroes’ welcome after their sensational 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign in Russia.
The Croates reached final of the World Cup for the first time in their history and their historic achievement meant a lot to the small European nation.
Fans gathered in Zagreb to welcome their heroes, who bettered Croatia’s ‘golden generation’, who lost to France in the semi-final in 1998 in France. Till date, that was the best Croatian team according to the people of Croatia but Luka Modric’s men have done one better and as they returned home, they were treated like superstars in the streets of Zagreb.
Croatian hearts were broken on Sunday when Croatia went down fighting 4-2 to France in the summit clash in Moscow but a day later, their spirits were not dampened and people turned out in huge numbers to congratulate and celebrate Zlatko Dalic’s history makers.
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· What a welcome for #WorldCup silver medallist in Zagreb. ðŸ‡ðŸ‡·#BeProud #CRO #FlamingPride #Vatreni🔥 #Family pic.twitter.com/v0HqUFc8aZ
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) July 16, 2018
🎶 Moja domovina… ðŸ‡ðŸ‡·#Vatreni🔥 @HNTV_HR pic.twitter.com/0LXDUwnGeg
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) July 16, 2018
While one would say, that Croatia had were outplayed by world champions France at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, the fight and determination they showed throughout the tournament has been nothing short of spectacular.
It has been great achievement for a nation with a population of little over four million. Modric’s side won all three group matches as they defeated Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland to finish at the top of their group.
In the knockouts, the Croatians registered three consecutive come-from-behind victories as they reached their first World Cup final.
Modric was the standout of the team and can still earn the title of world player of the year, breaking the stranglehold of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Croatia almost failed to qualify for the tournament in Russia, needing a 2-0 victory at Ukraine in their last group match to earn second spot that sent them into a playoff against Greece.
It was the start of Zlatko Dalic’s term at the helm and the coach managed to guide them to Russia where they displayed some of the finest soccer on show.
And after the brilliant show in Russia, expectations will be high and fans would hope that this team can do wonders and finally win a major tournament in the coming years and make their nation prouder.
