Memories of the 1998 World Cup are both joyful and painful for Croatian fans. During the post-war years, their team was guided by the wish to establish their country as an independent nation capable of not only leaving on its own but thriving as well. That 1998 team led by players such as Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki, Slaven Bilic, Igor Tudor, Robert Jarni and Goran Vlaovic always had those thoughts in the back of its mind. Lilian Thuram broke their dreams with his only two national team goals. He also broke an entire army of fans who wept tears of pain as Croatia was stopped at the doorstep of its first-ever final. France went on to win the title, while people in Croatia had to let go of the sorrow and nowadays remember that 1998 golden generation with pride.
20 years later, Croatia is back, knocking on the World Cup final door again. Its opponent – England, a team equally eager to bring the title “back home”.
Croatia Russia 2018 journey
The Croatia World Cup 2018 journey began on September 5, 2016, against Turkey, the first opponent from UEFA World Cup Qualification Group I. The game ended in a draw and was followed by four straight wins which had Croatia sitting comfortably at the top of the group. However, losses to Iceland and Turkey one year later had Ante Cacic’s coaching chair shaking. The public became increasingly unhappy with his squad selection. A 1-1 draw at home versus Finland put the World Cup 2018 participation in jeopardy and was the last straw. Cacic was fired and replaced by Zlatko Dalic.
His era began with a crucial 2-0 away win in the last, decisive group match against Ukraine. It was certainly a risky move by the Croatian Football Federation to appoint a new manager ahead of such an important fixture but we can see by what’s going on at the moment that the risk paid off. The Ukraine win secured a spot in the playoffs, where a 4-1 first leg victory over Greece put “Vatreni” in the driver’s seat and eventually into Group D of Russia 2018.
Croatia semi-final World Cup 2018
source: DNA India
Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Ante Rebic, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko and Danijel Subasic lead Croatia’s second golden generation, which is in many ways better the first one. If the first one had the team spirit, this one has quality. All of the above-mentioned players are members of elite football clubs and most of them are currently at their career peaks.
The first game against Nigeria nearly had us falling asleep, but Croatia got the result it wanted. Argentina was when the world started to realize this Croatia team could be capable of doing some real damage later in the competition. Another win versus “old enemy” Iceland gave Dalic’s men a perfect nine-point heading into the Round of 16 matchups with Denmark. The Danes outplayed Croatia tactically but lacked the bravery to go for the win. Consequently, they lost on penalties. Next up, an unexpected quarter-final adversary – Russia. The hosts gave their best on Saturday, but penalty kicks went Croatia’s way again.
Semi-finals dates
July 11, 20:00 – Croatia vs. England
So, now we’re here waiting for a matchup against England on Wednesday night in Moscow. It feels like there is more coming from this team. The question is whether Zlatko Dalic will be able to extract those extra drops of hidden potential that make the difference. He’s probably going to remind the players of that 1998 match against France to make sure they don’t repeat the same mistakes. After 240 minutes on the pitch in the last two games, Croatia will be tired and might go for it early against England.
July 10, 20:00 – France vs. Belgium
In the other semi-final one day earlier, neighbours France and Belgium will square off in an attempt to reach the final. Both games should be fun to watch.
Semi-final tickets World Cup 2018
Semi-final tickets are available at FIFA.com. We’re now in the ‘last-minute’ sales phase, which will remain open until the end of the tournament.
Semi-final tickets price:
Category 1 – €610
Category 2 – €390
Category 3 – €230
Other than online, tickets can be bought over the counter in the Venue Ticketing Centers across all host cities.
