Croatia has achieved its best achievements throughout the country's soccer history. After beating England in extra time, with a score of 2-1, Zlatko Dalić’s boys finally reached the final round against France, which had previously beaten Belgium.
On the bus, they sing loudly to victory. While in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, the people gathered to celebrate the achievement of his country in the city and fill the sky with a cloud of red smoke. The next day, the Croatian government all wore the nation's national ball shirt to its weekly meeting.
The team will not reach the world final without talented players like Luka Modric, Croatia has a very talented midfielder widely regarded as the best in the world in his position. No player has covered as much ground in Russia as Modric's 63km (22.7km when not in possession). He has also scored twice in the tournament.
In addition to Modric, in midfield have Ivan Rakitic, a player who can run 0.2 km less than the Real Madrid star (Modric) Two world-class midfielders are a boon to any team.
There are also others: Mario Mandzukic from Juventus, Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan and Dejan Lovren from Liverpool who according to the player himself, proved himself to be one of the best defenders in the world with his performance against England.
Croatia gained independence in 1991, during a conflict which lasted until 1995, and its players' characters have been formed by the bloody Balkan war.
20 Years Ago, Croatia’s coach (Zlatko Dalić) just became Supporter at the 1998 World Cup
"In 1998, I was in France to watch Croatia's first three games as supporters," Zlatko Dalic told FIFA.com after the semi-final against England on July 11th 2018.
Zlatko Dalic transformed in 20 years. From supporters in the stands to coaches who delivered their country to the 2018 World Cup final.
ZLatko Dalic became one of the happiest figures. The Croatian national team coach is delighted his country can now be better than the achievement of the 1998 World Cup (Semi Final).
Croatia's first major football league was founded in 1991
Unlike many other countries, Croatia's domestic league is actually formed following the end of the Cold War in 1991. This is because previously Croatia joined with Yugoslavia.
The first competition was held in 1992. Then, since 2003 has been through various name changes for the reasons of the sponsor. Currently, the Hrvatski Telekom Prva League is the official name of Croatia's premier league.
Scandals have rocked Croatian football
Damir Vrbanovic, a former Dinamo Zagreb executive and current executive of the Croatian Football Association, was sentenced to three years in prison in June on football-related charges.
Also involved in that trial was Zdravko Mamic, the former Dinamo executive considered the most influential figure in Croatian football. He was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail after being found guilty of syphoning millions of euros in transfer fees while at Dinamo.
The transfers of Modric and Lovren from Dinamo to Tottenham and Lyon respectively were the most notable. The players appeared as witnesses and Modric has been charged with perjury while Lovren is being investigated. CNN contacted the Croatia team media representative to obtain comment from Modric and Lovren but has yet to receive a reply.
Population: 4,292,095
History: part of Yugoslavia alongside Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Slovenia and Kosovo from 1918 until declaring independence in 1990. Historically part of the Austro-Hungarian empire – explaining its Catholicism among Orthodox Serb and Muslim Bosnian neighbours.
Most successful domestic teams: Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split
Major sports: football, followed by handball, basketball and water polo
Sources: inews.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, dw.com, cnn.com, oyster.com, bolarusia.kompas.com, viva.co.id