It was reminiscent of France 2016. We achieved a result that should have brought someone else, and Portugal showed up. There they strung together three draws and came third to us first. We were recognized as the best European team in the group stage and – we were eliminated! Here they played twice in a draw, with a great victory over Uzbekistan and – they are ours again. Or ours. Legendary teammates and rivals Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo in what may be his last great battle. Although you never know where the end is for these two.
So soon on July 2, in Croatia already on the 3rd, Modrić may play for the last time for Vatre, Ronaldo for Portugal. If all the other pages of the notebook were empty, enough for a Hollywood story. The strongest pair of the round of 16.
In Toronto, we once won bronze at the WC. Basketball was played, the year was 1994. Today, many people ask: are Croats miracle workers? Can I get another medal?
We didn’t hit Ghana like Rocky in Philadelphia, we have to conquer the CN Tower in Toronto. Portugal is so high. Like the top of a tower. Under him, we once won bronze at the World Championship. Basketball was played, the year was 1994. Today, many people ask: are Croats miracle workers? Can I get another medal? The road is as if it was written for us by Lucifer himself – Portugal, Spain, quarter-finals with the easiest name (USA, Belgium), semi-finals France. But Dalić is not afraid of devils, Vatreni, as believers, are anointed by the Holy Spirit. This is not enough in the football arena, but it gives peace and confidence.
Portugal is the worst national team for us. It is not traditionally so difficult for us against anyone. We never beat them in the battle for points. Only once in a friendly, in 2024 with them 2:1. The last four competitive games were in the League of Nations, three of their wins and a draw. Two Portuguese celebrations at the Euros. But we have never played at the world championships, and this is our field. Psychology also plays a role. Sometimes bigger than you think. Croatia feels safer at the World Cup, and Portugal more nervous.
Portugal never suited us because of the high rhythm of the game, which is not based on strength but on technique, a solid defensive block and quality transition. He has world-class individuals, and he doesn’t always look for dominance in possession because he enjoys it the most when he can catch his opponent on the wrong foot. However, if the rival is orderly, disciplined and compact, they can run into problems. In America, they didn’t show their best face, many think – because of Ronaldo. Once a predominance, now a weight, are frequent comments. However, Cristiano knows. And it should be taken care of.
They owe us. They owe us a fortune. At Euro 2016, we played better football than them for the only time. They had a stronger team. They cheated us again, from our goal to their counter, which we could prevent. If Vedran Ćorluka and Danijel Subasic have a complex, it’s time to cure it. Then they scored in the 117th minute. We were rarely run over. Many of their victories were the result of a rhythm that ours resisted while they were paying attention, and seemingly fell cheaply when their focus faltered. You have to be impeccable with your running, aggression and concentration against them.
It’s not that difficult for us against anyone, we never defeated them in the battle for points, at Euro 2016 we played better, had a stronger team and they cheated us again. But Croatia feels safer at the World Cup, while Portugal feels more nervous
Croatia can beat Portugal. Purgatory is behind us, now come matches like the ones celebrated by Dalić’s Fires. The preparation will be like for Brazil in Qatar. Similar to the Ghana experiment, but arranged with additional details. The midfield is our greatest strength, and we are most afraid of the battle in the middle of the field. If we parry there, the chances increase exponentially.
This Portugal doesn’t have top-notch wingtips and isn’t as fast as a runner, even like Ghana. He is technically perfect and quickly conquers the field with his head, more than with his feet, and he is great in the center. Vitinha, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, young and old wickedly good. You have to be tactically brilliant so you don’t get outplayed. On average, we receive almost two goals per game from them. This should be taken care of. Zlatko Dalić he will prepare his special team, which, to be honest, never worked against them when it mattered, but once and for all it has to be: to put them to sleep and shut them up.
Luka Modrić is getting better every day. It’s fantastic, it boosts the morale of the team and gives a fresh dose of optimism. Petar Sučić confirms his class, and he also scored the first goal, Ivan Perišić he does what the team needs, top-notch solutions can be expected from Martin Baturina, Dominik Livakovic is excellent, Croatia has cars for the race. More yes Josko Guardiol paces his head. We need it. It was his goal that brought us a point in the last mutual game in Split (1:1).
Portugal came for the title, many predicted it, it lacks a big result at the world championships and that squeezes it like a millstone, it will have the burden of favorites and imperatives, while Croatia has fans, a motive and, we believe, pure thoughts. Ready to give everything. If it succeeds, the media coverage of the World Cup will take on new tones. Silver and bronze, which they forgot, will return to the headlines. If Croatia is relegated, they will have something to regret, but no one will be able to stop them. We didn’t choose Portugal, we liked it.
We rarely win big, it’s about time. Well, just this year – Brazil, Belgium, England, defeat them all. The moment is ripe for Croatia to “iron out” the Portuguese “lasts” for all those cases when it was close, but remained far away. For that, Vatreni will have to play the best game since Doha and Brazil. No one knows exactly how much a slightly different team can really do. Great players are born in matches like this. Croatia has not yet said everything. We are confident that it will be loud in Ontario. Will that be enough, the Portuguese are also wondering.
The real World Cup begins. Let them wait until the next one, when they will be the hosts. We will never be that anyway. The lens is fresh. Fresher with each line of text. And ten years later. It would be revenge served cold. Or not so cold. Then we were supposed to be champions of Europe, and they became them. Now they think that the place of world champion belongs to them. Is it time to return the favor or will they only increase their dominance over us?
For many, Croatia’s victory would be a sensation. Maybe that day the World Cup will end for us, but I have a strong impression that we still have something to say. To climb Mount Olympus, you need to take off your big heads. In one game, in an atmosphere that will favor us, with great enthusiasm, if there is wisdom and courage, it should not be easy for the Portuguese to say the least. Well, Cristiano doesn’t have to, just like Leo. Messi won through us, that doesn’t mean others will too.
