AL WAKRAH, Qatar — In the end, Croatia‘s victory on penalties against Japan came in the most brutally unsentimental way. And yet, at the same time, it was all about sentiment and emotion… except it was the emotion that comes from the red and white chequers on the front of the shirt, not the name on the back of the jersey.
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There was a moment, nine minutes into the first extra-time period, when you wondered if you were witnessing another milestone. With the score deadlocked at 1-1 against Japan in Monday’s Round of 16 clash, Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic had just summoned Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric to the bench, sending on Lovro Majer and Nikola Vlasic in their place. In a World Cup that may well be the last for a number of bonafide superstars — from Cristiano Ronaldo to Luis Suarez to Lionel Messi — you may have wondered whether you had just witnessed Modric’s final moments on the biggest stage of all.
Modric is now 37. Four years ago, in Russia, he dragged Croatia to the World Cup final and won the Ballon D’Or. He’s had his moments for Real Madrid in the seasons since, but you can only escape Father Time for so long. He’s still a key part of Real Madrid, but as far as Croatia are concerned, Euro 2024 feels like a long way away.
When he realized he was being subbed off, Modric removed his armband and looked around, his expression a blend of confusion and exhaustion. Moments later, Domagoj Vida, the hulking defender who was a mainstay for Croatia at Russia 2018, enveloped both players in a bear hug. Modric looked to be sobbing, while Kovacic seemed apprehensive. For his part, Vida looked like a dad consoling two upset children outside the vet’s office while they worried about a sick pet.
Dalic folded his arms and looked at the pitch. If Croatia were going to go out, they were going to do it on his terms: no sentimentality and no deference to the big names. It wasn’t just about Modric and Kovacic, who didn’t play in the 2018 final but featured heavily in the previous rounds. Of the 13 players who were involved in the 2018 World Cup final against France, just five made it to the 2022 squad. Vida was on the bench; Andrej Kramaric was substituted earlier, Ivan Perisic would come off later. Then there was Modric. In total, Dejan Lovren and Marcelo Brozovic were the only holdovers who lasted until the final penalty against Japan.
