‘Eastern Europe’s strongest midfielder’ did not make it to the finals. Still, Luka Modric bravely ran the Lusail Iconic Stadium until the last moment.
At 4 am on the 14th (Korean time), the 2022 FIFA (International Football Federation) Qatar World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and Croatia kicked off at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. The result of the match was 3-0, a complete victory for Argentina. Argentina won with consecutive goals from Lionel Messi in the 34th minute of the first half and Julian Alvarez in the 39th minute and 24th minute of the second half. With this, Argentina succeeded in reaching the final eight years after the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. On the other hand, Luka Modric and Croatia were unfortunately unable to advance further in the semifinals.
Luka Modric played a key role in leading Croatia to the final at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Not many predicted that Croatia would make it to the World Cup finals four years ago. It was the leadership of Luka Modric that brought out the small odds. Croatia, which brought out the energy of one of the best midfielders of the time, Luka Modric to the maximum, won the runner-up. In addition, Luka Modric won the 2018 Ballon d’Or and made that year his own time.
Four years later, in 2022, Croatia reached the semifinals again. It was difficult to anticipate this level of success this time around, but Luka Modric and his teammates have done it again. Compared to four years ago, many veteran members were missing. Key resources such as Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic left the national team. Still, Luka Modric was strong, and with the help of the players, he made it through the group stage, round of 16, and quarterfinals, 토토 and finally reached the quarterfinals. If I went up one more step, I could have unlocked the glory of reaching the finals in two consecutive competitions.
But this time, Luka Modric and Croatia were not allowed to play in the final. The opponent, Lionel Messi’s Argentina, was so powerful. Lionel Messi, like Luka Modric, risked everything to participate in the World Cup in Qatar, and the cohesion he radiated with his teammates was amazing. It was Croatia’s potential, but it couldn’t overcome Argentina’s will. In the end, Croatia was beaten by Argentina 0-3. Lionel Messi’s condition reminiscent of his heyday and Argentina’s organizational power were beyond imagination.
In this way, Luka Modric is far from the World Cup semifinals. Croatia can challenge for the semifinals again in four years, but considering the age of Luka Modric, who is 37 years old, the 2026 World Cup, which turns 41, is not going to be easy.
Still, Luka Modric fought without losing his will to the end. As if he had intuition that the match against Argentina was his last World Cup semi-final, he ran on the pitch with all his might until he was substituted in the 36th minute of the second half. Fight like Luca. When Luka Modric was absent, despite the difficult Croatian situation, the audience applauded for a moment. It was a courtesy to the legend.
The ‘Eastern Europe’s supreme’ bid farewell to the World Cup semi-finals like this. We will be able to see his end in the upcoming 3rd and 4th place matches.