PHILADELPHIA - Age proved to just be a number to Croatia as it continued its World Cup journey with a 2-1 defeat of Ghana on Saturday, June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Nobody typified that more than 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric, who spent more than 90 minutes running up and down the pitch in an effort to extend his illustrious World Cup career.
After a loss to England and listless win against Panama, the possibility of elimination was the harsh reality facing Croatia. The European nation with population of 3.9 million has consistently punched above its weight in the biggest tournament in soccer, reaching the final in 2018 and finishing third in 2022.
But a minimum of at least one point against Ghana was required in its final group stage match to ensure passage to the knockout round of 32.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić turned to three of his stalwarts with more than a 100 caps — Luka Modrić (200), Mateo Kovačić (111), Ivan Perišić (156) — and a combined age of 109 to shoulder much of the responsibility.
Nobody typified that more than 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric, who spent more than 90 minutes running up and down the pitch in an effort to extend his illustrious World Cup career.
After a loss to England and listless win against Panama, the possibility of elimination was the harsh reality facing Croatia. The European nation with population of 3.9 million has consistently punched above its weight in the biggest tournament in soccer, reaching the final in 2018 and finishing third in 2022.
But a minimum of at least one point against Ghana was required in its final group stage match to ensure passage to the knockout round of 32.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić turned to three of his stalwarts with more than a 100 caps — Luka Modrić (200), Mateo Kovačić (111), Ivan Perišić (156) — and a combined age of 109 to shoulder much of the responsibility.
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