The Story of “The Dark Horse” Croatia in The World Cup Part 2

We continue our story about the "dark horse" of Croatia in the World Cup.

After the Croatian national team achieved a historic achievement in the World Cup France 1998, Croatia was eliminated from the first round in the 2002 World Cup and the 2006 World Cup, did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup, and was eliminated again from the first round in the 2014 World Cup.

World Cup 2018

We continue our story about the "dark horse" of Croatia in the World Cup.

In the 2018 World Cup, which was held in Russia, and with the presence of a golden generation that includes many distinguished players such as Real Madrid star Luka Modric, Barcelona star at the time Ivan Rakitic, in addition to Ivan Perisic, and Ante Rebic, the Croatian national team determined to play the role of the "dark horse" again.

The draw placed Croatia in Group D along with Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland.

The Croatian team opened its group stage matches on June 16 at the Kaliningrad Arena against Nigeria.

The Croatian team managed to win 2-0, with goals scored by Nigerian defender Peter Otibo, an own goal in the 32nd minute, and Luka Modric from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

In the second match, the Croatian national team faced Argentina on June 21, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0, Ante Rebic scored in the 35th minute, taking advantage of a fatal mistake by Argentine goalkeeper Caballero, and Luka Modric in the 80th minute with a wonderful shot, before Ivan Rakitic scored the third goal in the 90+1 minute.

Croatia concluded its group stage matches against Iceland, on June 26, at the Rostov Arena.

The Croatian team managed to achieve the third win in a row and thus top the group, by beating Iceland 2-1.

Croatia's goals were scored by: Milan Badelj in the 36th minute and Ivan Perisic in the 90th minute.

While Iceland's only goal was scored by Gylfi Sigurðsson in the 76th minute from the penalty spot.

In the second round, the Croatian team faced its Danish counterpart and managed to win it 3-2 on penalties, after the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

In a match that witnessed Luka Modric miss a penalty kick in extra time.

In the quarterfinals and at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia.

The Croatian national team faced Russia, the host of the tournament.

In front of more than 40,000 spectators who filled the stands of the match stadium, Brazilian international referee Sandro Ricci blew his whistle, announcing the start of the match.

The Russian team (who had achieved a big surprise by defeating Spain in the last round) opened the scoring through Chershev in the 31st minute, before Kramaric equalized the score for the Croats at the 39th minute, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The match went into extra time, which in turn ended in a 1-1 draw after Domagoj Vida scored for Croatia in the 101st minute, and Mario Fernandez for Russia in the 115th minute.

The Croatian national team won 4-3 on penalties.

Thus, Croatia qualified for the semi-finals for the second time in its history and the first since 1998.

In the semi-finals, and for the third time in a row, the Croatian team played over time, as it managed to beat England 2-1, thus, Croatia qualified for the final for the first time in its history.

In the final, the Croatian dream stopped at the hands of the French national team again.

After Croatia lost to France in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup, Croatia lost to France again, this time in the 2018 World Cup final.

Croatia beat its achievement in 1998 (bronze medal) and won the silver medal in the 2018 World Cup.