Now Croatia wants to become the champion
Now Croatia wants to become the champion
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| Luka Modric of Croatia celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates during the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Netherlands and Croatia at De Kuip on June 14, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.(Getty) |
There is no major title beside their name for Croatia. They had the opportunity in the 2018 World Cup, but couldn't win against France in the final. Now they have the chance to fulfill that dream.
Croatia secures the opportunity to reach the final of the UEFA Nations League by losing to the Netherlands 4-2. Coach Luka Dalic has expressed that he doesn't want to let go of this opportunity. He aims for gold this time.
After confirming their place in the final yesterday, Dalic mentioned, "We already have bronze and silver. Now we have to win gold, so we can finish the story."
Dalic has credited the victory in the semifinals to the Croatian people. The 56-year-old coach said, "It's a victory for the Croatian people. We defeated the Netherlands in front of their supporters, and Croatia is on the verge of winning another medal."
Yesterday's semifinal between the two teams was an intense one. Neither team gave up until the end. However, the laughter of victory was kept hidden until the last moment. Croatia started with an own goal, scored by Daley Blind, in the 34th minute. The first half ended with this forward's goal. But Croatia returned in the second half. Feran Andrijasevic equalized with a penalty in the 55th minute.
Croatia took the lead in the 72nd minute. When Mario Pasalic scored a goal, it seemed like Croatia was winning. However, in the last moment, in extra time, Denzel Dumfries equalized for the Dutch. The midfielder scored in the 106th minute of the match.
Then the match went into extra time. In the 98th minute, Bruno Petkovic's goal put Croatia ahead once again. And in the 116th minute, Luca Modric finished the match with a penalty goal against the Dutch. Tonight, Croatia will play in the final against the winner of the Spain-Italy match.
