Croatia 2018 Home Jersey (FIFA World Cup 2018 – Final Version vs France)

7 March 2022 0 Από giakallit

Season: 2018

Player: Luka Modric

Tournament: FIFA World Cup Russia 2018

Manufacturer: Nike

20 years after the great course of Croatia, when he won the bronze medal at the World Cup in France, it is time for an even greater course. Under coach Zlatko Dalic, Croatia managed to reach the World Cup final.

Initially, Croatia was in Group D along with Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland. The Balkans were impressive as they beat Nigeria 2-0, Argentina 3-0 and Iceland 2-1 and took the first place of the group with 3 victories, something that only Uruguay and Belgium managed.

In the round of 16, Croatia faced Denmark in an impressive game. The Danes were ahead with a goal in the 1st minute by Jørgensen but the Croats equalized in the 4th minute with Mandžukić. The game ended 1-1 and was followed by extra time. In the second half of extra time, Croatia won a penalty. However, Schmeichel rejected Modric penalty and the game was eventually led to the penalty shootout. There, with the two goalkeepers making a total of 5 saves, Croatia prevailed 3-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Host Russia was Croatia's next opponent. With an impressive goal by Cheryshev, Russia took the lead in the 31st minute but Kramaric equalized 8 minutes later. The 1-1 led to extra time again. Vida's goal gave Croatia the lead in 101' but in the last minute of extra time Fernandez made it 2-2. In the penalties, the Croatians were the ones who smiled again as they won 4-3.

Opponent in the semifinal was England. Although the English entered the game strongly and took the lead with Trippier in the first five minutes, Croatia equalized with Perisic in the second half. For the third consecutive game, Croatia played extra time but this time they did not need a penalty. Mandzukic's goal in 109' was enough to bring a 2-1 victory and qualify Croatia for the World Cup final.

France was the team that eliminated Croatia in the semifinals in 1998. In 2018 in Moscow the two teams met in the final. The match was spectacular and with many goals. With Mandzukic's own goal, France took the lead early but Perisic made it 1-1 with a powerful shot. Just before halftime, France won a penalty. Griezmann was on target and it became 2-1. In the 59th and 65th minutes, France found goals again with Pogba and Mbappé, while with a clever goal, Mandzukic reduced to 4-2 a little later. 4-2 was the final score and so France was crowned world champion.

Luka Modric, Croatia's captain, took the award as the best player in the World Cup even though his team lost in the final. He scored two goals. This jersey is an exact copy of the one that Modric wore in the final. Croatia wore the traditional red and white checkered look and under the sign there are match details from the final against France.