February 23, 2023 - Dejan Lovren retires from the Croatia national team and says goodbye in a letter to his fans on Instagram. 

You can find Dejan Lovren's letter to his fans transcribed below. 

"Dear national team, dear loyal fans,

I want to address you with some sad news, but believe me; I made this decision with an open heart and after much thought. This is quite difficult for me, and while I'm writing this, I'm trying not to cry, but you already know me well as a person with a heart and undisguised emotions.

The day has come when I have to say goodbye to the Croatia national team, even though I still see myself as an ardent fan who will always cheer on his national team.

As a child, I dreamed I would play in big tournaments in that most beautiful shirt with the checkers on it. I first wore those red and white checkers when I was nine years old, and I will never forget that special feeling - as if I was wearing Superman's cape. Like my hero Superman, I felt powerful, confident, and fearless.

Undescribable.

I will forever remember October 8, 2009, as the official debut for my homeland.

I went through all the youth selections, but I always wanted to feel the top of the pyramid, which is the A national team. This is where I could show my true skills to the whole world.

Honestly, I expected more from myself in the beginning. I was disappointed several times with my performances, I thought I could give a lot more, but some things didn't add up. I once even considered leaving you early. Youth-craziness, I didn't have much patience with myself. I hope you didn't take it for granted because in the end, I listened to my heart and continued, mainly because of you, dear fans.

I want to tell all young footballers that you should look at the Croatia national team differently than anything else - look at them as your superheroes.

The most beautiful side of this national team story is all we have achieved in the past five years. It's still like a big dream to me. So many emotions passed through me, especially in 2018 and 2022, that it is difficult to describe. I lived for such moments and experienced them with the greatest pride. I will never forget them, I will carry them forever in my heart.

I want to thank all the coaches for their cooperation, starting with my first one, Slaven Bilić, then through Igor Štimac, Nika Kovač, and Ante Čačić to Zlatko Dalić. Each of you left something behind, and I will be forever grateful because I learned a lot from each of you.

I want to thank all former and current teammates for a wonderful and unforgettable journey. We have had our ups and downs, laughed and cried together, and I will have you all in my heart forever. I have played with some of you for more than ten years together. I experience you as my brothers, you were there for me when I was really having a hard time. Thank you very much.

Thanks to all the people behind the scenes who have been there since day one. I can't name everyone in order, but we know very well who these people are. You are the core of this national team, you are not in the headlines, and maybe you don't get too much attention, but believe me - without you, we are nobody and nothing.

Finally, I would like to say that you have one new fan from now on. As before, we stand by each other, because our unity is of inestimable importance for the Croatia national team, it is our greatest strength.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Your Dejan"

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A post shared by Dejan Lovren (@dejanlovren06)

Lovren played his last match for the Croatia national team in the 2022 World Cup semi-final against Argentina. He recorded 78 caps and five goals for Croatia throughout his national team career.  

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February 8, 2023 - Miroslav Ćiro Blažević lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, two days before his 88th birthday.

The legendary Croatian football coach lost his long battle with cancer on Wednesday. He was supposed to celebrate his 88th birthday in two days, reports Index.hr.

Blažević was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 but fought off the vicious disease. A year after that, he was operated on for melanoma. In September 2019, his cancer unfortunately returned. 

Blažević made one of his last public appearances in mid-December last year when he received the "Vladimir Beara" award in Zagreb for his contribution to the development of sports culture and social tolerance.

"You gathered in large numbers and showed me a great honor. But this is my last address to the public. It's over—no more. Goodbye Ćiro. I'm counting the last days, and I'm aware of that," Ćiro said. 

"I'm so sick; it's so hard for me. This f***ing illness has taken over. I'm struggling, and I'm suffering. I'm in great pain, so, well..." said Ćiro about the illness three days ago. "My legs can't hold me more than heavy water; I'm going for an infusion. The situation is difficult, to be honest. Very, very difficult. Cancer has spread to all my bones and the worst and most dangerous place - the liver. And it destroys everything slowly and surely," he added.

Miroslav Ćiro Blažević was born on February 10, 1935, in Travnik, where he began, as he always said, a modest football career. He was born as the eighth, youngest child of Katarina Blažević (née Matovinović) and Mate Blažević. Their first two children, Ivica and Marica, whom their parents did not talk much about, died at just a few months old from the Spanish flu. Miroslav also had sisters Jelena and Dragica, brothers Ante and Joško, and an older sister Jozefina in Zagreb.

Ćiro played football until he was 31 when he decided to become a coach in Moutier, Switzerland. He stayed in Switzerland and managed Vevey and Sion before taking over the national team of Switzerland in 1979. However, his rise as a coach began in 1979 when he came to Rijeka. Although he finished the Championship in 10th place, Ćiro led Rijeka to the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final and lost to Juventus. At the end of the season, he came to Dinamo, and that's when the legend of Ćiro began.

After finishing fifth in his first season on the bench, Ćiro brought Dinamo the Yugoslav championship title in 1982 after 24 years of waiting and forever became a Dinamo legend. Cerin, Deverić, Mlinarić, Zajec, Vlak, and others played fantastic football that attracted an average of 30,000 spectators to Maksimir.

Dinamo confirmed the title by winning against Željezničar four rounds before the end, and the celebration in the city did not stop for weeks. The architect of that great success was Ćiro, who trampled everything in front of him with a white scarf around his neck.

"It was perfect and, without competition, the biggest success of my career. Kudos to the bronze medal in France, but for me, Dinamo's 1982 success is the crowning glory of everything I've done as a coach," said Ćiro on his 82nd birthday.

The legendary coach did not stop there and won the Yugoslav Cup with Dinamo the following season and left Dinamo for the first time at the end of the season. Then, he went to Grasshopper, with whom he won the Swiss Championship, and won the hearts of the fans again in 1985 when he led Priština to the first Yugoslav league.

In the same year, he returned to Dinamo and did not achieve notable results. Nevertheless, he welcomed the declaration of Croatian independence in Nantes, where he stayed until 1991, and after a year at PAOK in 1992, he returned to Dinamo. 

As a great admirer of President Franjo Tuđman and a prominent member of the HDZ, Ćiro could not refuse Tuđman's invitation to return to Croatia. He won the Croatian Championship in 1993 and the Cup in 1994. However, at the end of that season, Ćiro left Dinamo again, for the third time, because he was given the most significant task - to lead the Croatia national team.

Ćiro sensationally started the European Championship qualifiers. In front of a powerful Italy (with the help of Tomislav Ivić), they won first place in the group, and directly qualified for the European Championship in England. Croatia brilliantly passed the group with Turkey, Denmark (defending champions), and Portugal with six points, only to lose to Germany 2:1 in the quarter-finals with the great help of referee Leif Sundell.

At that time, Ćiro already enjoyed a considerable reputation in Croatia and Europe, but the best was yet to come. After the dramatic qualifications, Croatia qualified for the World Cup in France, winning a sensational third place in 1998. Ćiro's team led in the semi-final against France 1:0 but lost with two goals from Lilian Thuram, who were the only goals in his career for the national team.

France was the zenith of Ćiro's coaching career. In the qualifiers for Euro 2000, in the last round at Maksimir, Croatia had to beat Serbia for a place in the additional qualifiers, but they played 2:2 and were eliminated. There was also a change of generations and the qualifications for the World Cup in Japan and Korea. Croatia got off to a bad start, and after drawing against Scotland at Maksimir, Ćiro resigned.

In six years on the bench, Ćiro led Croatia 73 times and recorded 36 wins, 22 draws, and 15 losses.

In 2001, he went to Iran, which failed to take him to the World Cup in Japan and Korea. After that, he saved Osijek from relegation from the league, only to return to Dinamo for the fourth time in 2002 and win the league title. However, at the end of the season, he had an argument with Zdravko Mamić, who kicked him out of the club.

After Mura and Varteks, Blažević came to Hajduk in 2005, who was then preparing for Champions League qualifications. Before the draw, Ćiro said they would give him "that Liverpool," but the balls connected him with Debrecen, against whom Hajduk experienced one of the biggest embarrassments in its history. The Hungarian club won 3:0 in the first game and 5:0 at Poljud, and it was a defeat from which Ćiro could not save himself. On September 18, after a series of bad results, he resigned.

In 2007, Ćiro was third in the HNL with Zagreb. By the end of his prosperous coaching career, Ćiro would manage six more clubs, but he left his most significant mark as the head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although part of the BiH public did not approve, Ćiro united the BiH national team in his way and soon earned the entire country's support, which once again breathed with its national team. He fit perfectly into the new environment and almost led Bosnia and Herzegovina to the 2010 World Cup. But, instead, he entered the additional qualifiers, where he lost to a strong Portugal.

After leaving BiH, Ćiro went to China and then to Iran, only to return to NK Zagreb in 2012, with which he was relegated from the league. In January 2014, he went to Sloboda from Tuzla and sensationally returned them to the Premier League in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the end of the season, he took over NK Zadar, where he ended his coaching career in January 2015.

Ćiro Blažević's career overview

Playing career: Bratstvo Travnik, Dinamo, Lokomotiva, Sarajevo, Rijeka, Sion, Moutier

Coaching career: Vevey, Sion, Switzerland, Lausanne-Sport, Rijeka, Dinamo Zagreb, Grasshopper, Priština, Dinamo Zagreb, Nantes, PAOK, Croatia Zagreb, Croatia, Iran, Osijek, Dinamo Zagreb, Mura, Varteks, Hajduk, Neuchatel Xamax, Zagreb, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Shanghai Shenhua, China U-23, Mes Kerman, Zagreb, Sloboda Tuzla, Zadar

Trophies:

Sion, Swiss Cup - 1974

Dinamo
Championship of Yugoslavia - 1982
Yugoslav Cup - 1983
First HNL: 1993, 2003
Croatian Cup: 1994
Croatian Super Cup: 2002

Grasshopper
Swiss Championship: 1984

Hajduk
Croatian Supercup: 2005

Croatia national team:
3rd place at World Cup 1998

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February 2, 2023 - Croatia's young national team will fight to qualify for the 2025 Under-21 EURO in group G against Portugal, Greece, Belarus, the Faroe Islands, and Andorra.

Qualifications begin next month for the 2025 Under-21 EURO Championship, which will be held in Slovakia in two years. 

In this competition, the age limit is set for players born after January 1, 2002. This rule also applies to the qualifications.

Croatia entered the qualifiers from the second pot, making it impossible for them to avoid a much stronger opponent. In this case, it was Portugal. 

Croatia will thus play in Group G against Portugal, Greece, Belarus, the Faroe Islands, and Andorra.

"Portugal is the slight favorite of the group, but our goal is to qualify for the Euros for the fourth consecutive time. We will try to achieve it directly, as the first-placed team or one of the three best second-placed national teams," said U-21 national team coach Igor Bišćan after the draw.

Nine group winners and the three best runners-up will qualify for the Euros, while the remaining six runners-up will be divided into three pairs, the winners of which will also go to Slovakia.

The group stage matches will be played in March, June, September, October, and November this year and in March, September, and October next year. 

Croatia U-21 national team qualifying schedule:

September 12, 2023: Faroe Islands - Croatia

October 13, 2023: Greece - Croatia

October 17, 2023: Croatia - Belarus

November 20, 2023: Belarus - Croatia

March 21, 2024: Andorra - Croatia

March 26, 2024: Portugal - Croatia

September 5, 2024: Croatia - Faroe Islands

September 10, 2024: Croatia - Portugal

October 11, 2024: Croatia - Andorra

October 15, 2024: Croatia - Greece

The Croatia Under-21 national team will thus gather in a new guise, with players born from 2002 onwards.

However, the current generation (or players born in 2000 and younger) will gather again at this year's European Championship in Romania and Georgia in June. Croatia is in Group B against Ukraine, Spain, and Romania. 

Croatia will qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris if it finishes in one of the top three spots at this year's Euros. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

January 25, 2023 - Croatia found out its opponent in the UEFA Nations League semi-final after the draw was held in Nyon on Wednesday.  

Croatia will thus play against the Netherlands on June 14 in Rotterdam. Spain and Italy will meet in the second semi-final on June 15 in Enschede.

The winners of the semi-final matches will play in the final in Rotterdam on June 18, while the losers will play for third place also on June 18 in Enschede.

In the third season of the Nations League, Croatia reached the final tournament and was the only debutant in this mini-tournament. Croatia went to the final four after finishing first in a group against defending champions France, Denmark, and Austria.

Croatia was impressive in the third edition of the Nations League after poor results in the first two editions. After opening against Austria with a shock 3:0 defeat in Osijek, Croatia still had to face the national teams of France and Denmark. Dalić had to apologize to the fans, and there was little belief in this Croatia after the debacle against Austria.

The show at Poljud in front of 30,000 fans started Croatia'ss revival in the Nations League. A draw against the then-current World Champions, France, was a sign that Croatia could turn everything around. In the end, Croatia defeated Denmark twice, one of the best European teams then. For the first time in history, Croatia also beat France at Stade de France in front of more than 70,000 fans and confirmed their spot in the final tournament with a victory against Austria in Vienna.

Dalić commented on Croatia's semi-final opponent:

"We will play against the most difficult opponent, the hosts, who will play in front of a full stadium and led by a new coach. The Netherlands is a truly great team. However, whichever team we draw, we would be playing against a strong opponent, as all four teams are in the top ten in the world. We know what our goal is, a place in the final, and we will try to achieve it. The Netherlands has a new coach, and is very good, especially in defense. They have young, powerful players, and they will play in front of their audience, but I also expect great support from our fans in Rotterdam. A big match awaits us, it will be a big challenge for us, but we will be ready, and I expect our victory," said Zlatko Dalić.

The first semi-final match will be played on June 14 in Rotterdam at 20:45, and the second in Enschede on June 15 at 20:45. The game for third place will be played on June 18 in Enschede at 15:00, and the final is the same day in Rotterdam at 20:45. It was decided in advance that the Netherlands would play its semi-final match in Rotterdam.

The Croatian Football Federation delegation in Nyon included assistant coach of Croatia Vedran Ćorluka, team manager of the national team Iva Olivari, and official spokesperson Tomislav Pacak.

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

January 7, 2023 - FIFA has given Robert Ljubičić the green light to change his football citizenship. The 23-year-old Dinamo Zagreb midfielder can now play for the Croatia national team!

In November 2022, Robert Ljubičić decided that he wanted to represent the national team of Croatia in the future, after which the process began with FIFA to change his football citizenship from Austrian to Croatian. After months-long efforts, Ljubičić can play for Croatia! 

Ljubičić started his senior career at St. Pölten, after which he played for Rapid Wein and came to Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2022.

"We are happy with the decision that Robert can play for the Croatia national team, and we believe that it will strengthen Zlatko Dalić's squad. I thank the management of GNK Dinamo, led by president Vlatka Peras, for supporting Robert and HNS in this process, as well as our technical director Pletikosa and the Federation's administration, who once again did a superb job in communicating with the player and with FIFA. Of course, I am most pleased that Robert and his family chose to play for Croatia, which confirms how strong the cult of our national team is and how much patriotism our people raise their children with abroad. It's up to Robert to impress the coach with his games, and I welcome him to the Croatian football family," said HNS president Marijan Kustić.

"It was not easy to make such a decision considering that I grew up in Austria, where I also developed in football, for which Austria, my coaches, and clubs have my utmost gratitude and respect. However, Croatia is in my blood, it is my family, and I felt a strong desire to represent Croatia as my homeland. I thank HNS and Dinamo for supporting my family and me during this process, and I will continue to work hard to earn a call-up to one of the best national teams in the world, which would fulfill my football dream," said Robert Ljubičić.

"First of all, thank you to Robert and his family for the pleasant communication. Robert proved to be a very serious and intelligent young man who made a decision that made us happy - that he wanted to play for Croatia. I'm glad we formally made it possible and thus got a quality candidate for the national team. Now it is up to Robert to earn coach Dalić's trust with his games. Of course, we in the Federation believe that he can contribute to the national team with his football skills," said the technical director of the Croatia A and U-21 national teams, Stipe Pletikosa.

Source: HNS

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 17, 2022 - A new 'Bronze Generation' was born tonight in Qatar. Croatia beat Morocco to finish 3rd at the 2022 FIFA World Cup! 

After Croatia lost to Argentina on Tuesday and Morocco lost to France on Wednesday, the two teams dropped out of the fight for the 2022 World Cup title. But that doesn't mean they had nothing left to play for.

Croatia and Morocco met in the 3rd place play-off on Saturday at Khalifa International Stadium, the winner of which would take home the bronze medal. 

Croatia will thus close the tournament against the same national team they opened against almost one month ago. Croatia and Morocco opened Group F at Al Bayt Stadium on November 23, ending 0-0. 

Croatia then beat Canada 4-1 at the same stadium they're playing at tonight, followed by a 0-0 draw against Belgium, which secured them second place in the group. Morocco finished first.

Croatia beat Japan on penalties in the round of 16 and did the same against five-time world champions Brazil in the quarter-final. Croatia lost to Argentina 0-3 in the semi-final earlier this week, who will go on to play France in the final on Sunday. 

Morocco finished at the top of Group F, defeated Belgium and Canada, then eliminated Spain in the round of 16 on penalties and beat Portugal in the quarter-final. They then lost to France in the semi-final on Wednesday. Morocco is thus in a similar situation to Croatia's 'Bronze Generation' at the 1998 World Cup. They wanted the bronze medal to put their country and Africa on the football map. 

Croatia was playing for a lot, too. Not only would the bronze medal be a brilliant feat after finishing second at the World Cup four years ago, but they had the chance to achieve the same success as the 'Bronze Generation,' which many national team players remember well. 

Some 40,000 Morocco fans were expected compared to a few thousand Croatia fans tonight, but if we know anything about Croatia, small numbers make no difference. 

Lineups

CROATIA (4-2-3-1): LIVAKOVIĆ - STANIŠIĆ, SUTALO, GVARDIOL, PERIŠIĆ - MODRIC, KOVAČIĆ - MAJER, KRAMARIC, ORŠIĆ - LIVAJA

MOROCCO (4-2-3-1): BONO - HAKIMI, DARI, EL YAMIQ, ATTIAT-ALLAH - AMRABAT, SABIRI - ZIYECH, EL KHANNOUS, BOUFAL - EN-NESYRI

Match report

Croatia kicked off first and thus attacked first. Livaja nutmegged the Morocco defense to Majer, who couldn't get to the ball quick enough. Orsic played it into the box a minute later and an almost fatal mistal by Bono, fortunately, went out for a Croatia corner. 

Keep in mind Croatia was playing with a very offensive lineup, which we witnessed already in the first few minutes. 

Croatia was awarded a free-kick outside the box in the 6th minute. Modric faked the kick, and Majer played to Perisic's head, who flicked it to Gvardiol for 1-0 Croatia in the 7th minute! 

But a free kick for Morocco in the next play evened the result. Majer tried clearing the kick with his head which went to Dari for 1-1 in the 9th minute!

Stanisic had a shot in the 14th minute, which went over the goal. 

Croatia had another corner in the 16th minute and another chance at goal in the 18th minute from Kramaric's head. 

A great chance for Croatia in the 24th minute. Luka shot with his left foot, which the keeper struggled to save. 

Majer launched the ball from a free-kick in the 26th minute, which Perisic header over the goal. 

Morocco had an excellent chance in the 29th minute. Hakimi beat the Croatia defense up the right and sent the ball across the box. Luckily no Morocco player could get there in time. 

A dangerous free-kick for Morocco in the 35th minute. And then two Morocco corners in the next play. But it ultimately ended with a goal kick. 

Ziyech's shot in the 40th minute was hit near post but went out for a Croatia goal kick. 

And finally, Croatia's next goal came. Stanisic played Majer, and Majer played Livaja, who laid the ball off to Orsic to score for 2-1 in the 42nd minute. 

Two minutes of stoppage time were added to the first half. The first half ended with 59% possession for Croatia and 41% for Morocco. 

The second half started without any changes for Croatia. Abdelhamid Sabiri went out for Ilias Chair. 

Orsic nailed the near post net in the 47th minute. A Croatia corner followed. And another. 

Stanisic brilliantly dribbled up the right wing and switched sides to Majer, who crossed back into the box. Livaja was in the penalty area, but the ball went off the Morocco defender. The ref mistakenly called for a Morocco goal kick. 

Croatia had another corner in the 53rd minute. 

Morocco subbed off Khannouss for Ounahi in the 56th minute. 

Kramaric was subbed in tears from an injury in the 60th minute. Vlasic was brought on as Croatia's first sub.

Morocco brought on Sofiane Boufal for Anass Zaroury and Badr Benoun for Dari in the 64th minute. 

Petkovic was brought on for Livaja and Pasalic for Majer in the 66th minute. 

And the Morocco players began dropping from injury. El Yamiq came off for Amallah a minute later. 

Ounahi was shown a yellow card in the 69th minute. 

Vlasic's shot in the 71st minute went over the goal. 

Gvardiol's heel was clipped in the 76th minute, causing Croatia to call for a penalty. The ref said to play on. After watching the replay, that was a harsh missed call for Croatia. 

Croatia was given a corner in the 82nd minute. Perisic called for the fans to make noise.

Amallah was shown a yellow card in the 85th minute and a mini brawl erupted on the pitch. It was Croatia's free kick. 

Orsic and Kovacic had a chance in the 87th minute. Kova's shot went far post and out for a goal kick. 

The ref added 6 minutes of stoppage time to the game. 

Livakovic was forced to make a few saves as Morocco pressured in the final minutes of the match. 

Dalic subbed off Orsic for Jakic. Morocco headed over the post for what could have been their equalizing goal. 

And there you have it - Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 to finish 3rd at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, just four years after they finished 2nd in Russia!!!

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 16, 2022 - Zlatko Dalić and Mateo Kovačić held Croatia's final pre-match day press conference at the Main Media Center in Qatar on Friday. Croatia and Morocco will fight for the World Cup bronze medal on Saturday at 6 pm local time. 

After Croatia lost to Argentina on Tuesday and Morocco lost to France on Wednesday, the two teams dropped out of the fight for the 2022 World Cup title. They will play the 3rd place play-off on Saturday at Khalifa International Stadium. 

Zlatko Dalić and Mateo Kovačić addressed the press at the Main Media Center for the last time. 

Will Modrić play in Euro 2024?

"I hope that he will. How he lives for football and how he feels at 37, I think he will play for Croatia then, too," said Dalić. 

About the World Cup bronze medal match against Morocco 

"This is a big final for us. The fight for the medal. We have the most respect for Morocco, who had an incredible World Cup. I think they think the same as us and will play with the best they have like us. This is the game for third place in the world. This is a big final for two small nations," Dalić. 

"Of course, we were sad after the semi-final. We wanted to be in the final, but it didn't work out that way. But our focus is on the game tomorrow. It's a big game, and we want to bring home the bronze medal," said Kovačić.

How does this compare to the 'Bronze Generation' in 1998?

"1998 was the first medal for our country from our football team. This was the beginning of our success. This is slightly different as we have now won the silver medal, but we want to be 3rd after being 2nd in the world. Every medal for us is a big thing. We are a small country," said Dalić. 

"We all remember 1998. We all hoped that one day we would achieve the same thing. To have a chance to win a medal for the second time in 4 years is a huge thing. We will give everything we can to achieve that," said Kovačić. 

Are all players ready?

"This is our 7th game in a month; we played extra time twice. We have some injuries - Juranović, Brozović, and Gvardiol. We will see how the rest of the day goes. We only want to play the players that are 100% ready. We don't want to play players that have problems. It will be challenging for the players who can't play, but we need to do what is best for the team," said Dalić. 

"We want to return home with the bronze medal. We have a big welcome reception waiting for us. We can't wait to come home," said Kovačić. 

"Morocco reminds me of us four years ago. Tomorrow will be much tougher than the first game. We have so much respect for them and are blown away by what they have achieved here," said Dalić. "When you look at the teams they have eliminated and beaten, it is amazing."

"We have no idea what our team will be or do in four years. So we are only focusing on that bronze medal tomorrow," said Kovačić.  

And Croatia's future?

"Croatia has a very bright future. We needed some players from this current generation to stay with us to help the younger players transition into the national team," said Dalić. 

"The older players have shown just how much Croatia means to us and how much longer we want to keep playing for Croatia," said Kovačić. 

December 14, 2022 - After Croatia lost to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup semi-final on Tuesday night, they will play the match for 3rd place on Saturday. After losing to France tonight, Croatia will fight Morocco for the 2022 World Cup bronze medal. 

It wasn't Croatia's night on Tuesday. A penalty that likely should have never been called disrupted Croatia's otherwise stunning football in the first 34 minutes of their semi-final match against Argentina. And that was all the Messi-led Argentina needed to come out and score another two goals to win 3-0, ending Croatia's World Cup final dreams. 

But not all hope is lost, and not only is Croatia still among the four best national teams in the world, but they have the chance to win their third World Cup medal since 1998. They fight for the bronze on Saturday at Khalifa Stadium in Qatar against Morocco. Recall, Croatia opened their 2022 World Cup campaign against Morocco, drawing 0-0 in their first match of Group F at Al Bayt Stadium on November 23. 

France and Morocco met at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night. France's first goal came early - in the 5th minute. A lapse in the Morocco defense was followed by a failed save from Bono. Hernandez was alone on the left to score for 1-0 France. 

But Morocco wasn't far from a goal, either, and managed to attack most of the first half. Their best chance was a bicycle kick by Jawad El Yamiq, which got caught between the post and Lloris' hands. The entire stadium was painted red for Morocco, and their fans did not stop with synchronized chants and songs the entire first half. 

Morocco was playing far more physically than they did against Croatia, and France was not having an easy time, especially with their chances on goal. 

Morocco tried dominating much of the second half, too but failed to capitalize on their chances at goal. France had a few good chances but nothing good enough to increase their lead. But their golden opportunity finally came in the 79th minute. An Mbappe masterclass in the penalty area found Kolo Muani alone on the far post to make it 2-0 with 10 minutes to go.  

Croatia will have no easy task going up against Morocco for the World Cup bronze medal. Khalifa Stadium will be dominated by Morocco fans, and after the display the team put on tonight, it will be a much different game than their World Cup opener almost one month ago. 

Croatia and Morocco will meet at 6 pm local time on Saturday, December 17. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 13, 2022 - Argentina gained revenge on Croatia from the 2018 World Cup and won 3-0 for a spot in the 2022 World Cup final. Croatia will play the match for 3rd place on Saturday against the loser between France and Morocco in their semi-final tomorrow. 

The Croatia national team met Argentina in one of the biggest matches in Croatian football history - their second consecutive World Cup semi-final. The two teams met at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday night. 

The last time the two teams met was four years ago. Croatia beat Argentina 3-0 in the group phase of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Croatia thus finished first in their group and Argentina in second. 

Croatia finished 2nd in their 2022 World Cup group after drawing 0-0 against Morocco in the first round, beating Canada 4-1 in the second round, and drawing 0-0 against Belgium, which was enough for the round of 16. Croatia beat Japan on penalties in their last-16 tie and knocked out favorites Brazil on penalties in the quarter-final. 

The winner tonight would play in the 2022 World Cup final on Sunday. Both teams had everything to play for - Croatia for Modrić and Argentina for Messi.

Tonight's match was refereed by Italian Daniele Orsato. 

Lineups 

Argentina - Martinez - Molina - Romero - Otamendi - Tagliafico - De Paul - Fernandez - Paredes - Mac Allister - Messi - Alvarez

Croatia - Livaković - Sosa - Gvardiol - Lovren - Juranović - Brozović - Kovačić - Modrić - Perišić - Pašalić - Kramarić

Match report

Croatia had the kickoff and the first possession of the match. Croatia calmly maintained that possession in the first 10 minutes, with one ball into the box from Perisic in the 5th minute. 

Croatia played quick one-twos up the pitch, creating space around the Argentina players. Modric fouled Mac Allister in the 13th minute on an Argentina attack. 

Lovren played a long ball to Pasalic in the 14th minute, which forced Argentina's defense to kick it out for a throw-in. A brilliant play up the right wing with Juranovic and Modric forced the ball out for Croatia's first corner in the 16th minute. 

Croatia was winning the most balls in contest compared to Argentina by the 18th minute. 

Croatia was awarded a free kick after Kovacic was fouled in the 19th minute. 

A dangerous attack by Argentina in the 22nd minute, fortunately, went out for a Croatia goal kick. 

Another Argentina attack in the 25th minute was cleared by Sosa, and Livakovic was forced to make his first save seconds later. 

A quick Croatia counter and a stunning move by Kovacic gave Croatia a foul outside of the box in the 27th minute. 

A quick Argentina counterattack followed, which Luka headed out for an Argentina throw-in. 

A Modric nutmeg on the right wing gave Croatia another brilliant attack. Perisic shot on goal but hit just over the crossbar. 

Another Argentina counterattack resulted in a penalty. Kovacic and Livakovic were both shown yellow cards. Messi scored for 1-0 Argentina in the 34th minute. 

Croatia won another corner in the 37th minute. Luka played it short, and Brozovic's cross was deflected off an Argentina player for another quick counter. Sosa failed to clear the ball properly in the penalty area, and Livakovic committed early. Alvarez turned it into a goal. Argentina was up 2-0 in the 39th minute. 

Argentina won a corner in the 42nd minute, which nearly went in for another goal. Livakovic punched out the ball after another close call for an Argentina throw-in. 

Croatia's best chance at goal was in the 45th minute. Luka's shot deflected off Argentina, and he played it to Juranovic, who sent the ball near post. 

The ref added four minutes of stoppage time. 

The first half ended 2-0 for Argentina. Croatia had 62% of possession in the first half but got caught on Argentina's quick counterattacks, resulting in two goals. 

Dalic made two subs at halftime. Sosa was subbed off for Orsic and Pasalic for Vlasic. 

A foul on Vlasic in the 47th minute was awarded to Croatia just outside the box. Modric sent the ball in but Martinez saved it. 

Dalic subbed off Brozovic for Petkovic in the 50th minute. Croatia was getting knocked off the ball but winning it back. Croatia had a good attack in the 53rd minute, but Petkovic failed to shoot when he should. Vlasic sent the ball into the box, but it went into Argentina's possession. 

Livakovic made an incredible save off a Messi shot in the 58th minute. 

Another free kick for Croatia was awarded on the left sideline in Argentina's half. Argentina subbed off Paredes for Martinez. 

Another great chance for Croatia came in the next minute, forcing Martinez to make a quick save in goal. 

Alvarez fouled Modric on a Croatia counterattack. Romero received a yellow card in the 68th minute. 

Messi was at his best in the 69th minute, outdribbling Gvardiol down the right, setting it up for Alvarez in the penalty area, who scored for 3-0 Argentina. 

Kramaric was subbed off for Livaja in the 72nd minute. 

A free kick for Croatia in the 73rd minute was taken by Perisic. It wasn't an easy save for Martinez. 

Argentina started making subs in the 74th minute. Alvarez for Dybala, and Palacios for De Paul. 

Orsic tried shooting far post in the 77th minute, but it went wide of the goal. This Croatia team just didn't have it today. 

Luka Modric was subbed off for Lovro Majer in the 81st minute. Dalic was trying to give the bench as much playing time as possible - it was the World Cup semi-final, after all. 

Messi missed an open chance in the 83rd minute.

Another chance for Croatia in the 85th minute was played out by the Argentina defense for a Croatia corner. Perisic flicked it back to Lovren, who missed an open goal. 

Majer had a good shot on goal in the 89th minute, which deflected into the hands of Martinez. 

The ref added 5 minutes of stoppage time. Croatia was given a corner in the first minute of stoppage time, which Majer hit into the Argentina defense. 

Kovacic shot with his let foot to end the match. Argentina will be going to the 2022 World Cup final on Sunday and Croatia will play the match for 3rd place on Satuday. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December 9, 2022 - WHAT A MATCH! Croatia beats Brazil on penalties for the 2022 World Cup semi-final!

Croatia and Brazil met at Education City Stadium in the first 2022 World Cup quarter-final on Friday, December 9, at 6 pm local time. 

Croatia beat Japan on penalties in the round of 16 match on Monday. Croatia's hero was Dominik Livaković, who saved three penalties to send Croatia into the quarter-final. 

Croatia has played Brazil four times, recording three defeats and one draw. The last time Brazil and Croatia met was in June 2018 as part of their World Cup preparations.

While Croatia has not lost in a World Cup quarter-final, Brazil was knocked out by European teams in the quarter-final in 2006, 2010, and 2018. 

Lineups

Croatia: Livaković – Juranović. Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa – Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić – Pašalić, Kramarić, Perišić

Brazil: Alisson - Militao, Marquinos, T. Silva, Danilo - Casemiro - Raphinha, Paqueta, Neymar, Vinicius - Richarlison

Match report 

Croatia won the coin toss to kick off first. Croatia had their first free kick in the 3rd minute when Kovacic was fouled. Vinicius tried shooting in the 5th minute, which was an easy save for Livakovic. 

Croatia did well in keeping possession in the first 10 minutes, with the defense clearing any dangerous attacks. 

Croatia's first chance at goal came in the 12th minute. Juranovic made an incredible run into the middle and played Pasalic on the wing, who crossed into the box. Kovacic and Perisic both missed the cross. 

Croatia's first corner came in the 14th minute. It was cleared by the Brazil defense, but Croatia won back the ball. Modric crossed into the box, but Brazil cleared it out again. 

Croatia denied Brazil too much space. Brazil tried attacking again in the 20th minute, which was blocked by the Croatia defense. Neymar hit a light shot on goal to Livakovic. 

Casemiro shot on goal in the 22nd minute, which was deflected off the Croatia defense for Brazil's first corner. 

A seriously ugly play by Danilo on Juranovic in the 25th minute. Danilo's high kick with cleats up at Juranovic's head gave Croatia a free-kick right outside the box. Brazil's defense cleared the play. 

A questionable call for Brazil in the 28th minute awarded them a free kick, cleared by the Croatia defense. 

Brozovic was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute. 

Croatia played stunning football for the next 5 minutes, maintaining possession and calming down the play. 

Brazil regained possession in the next 5 minutes but was unable to create any dangerous attacks for a goal. But the ref awarded Brazil a free kick outside the box after a soft foul on Vinicius. Neymar's shot on goal luckily deflected and went into Livakovic's hands. 

The ref added one minute of stoppage time. The first half ended 0-0 with 48% possession for Croatia. 

The second start started without any changes on either side. 

Gvardiol saved the day yet again on a nearly open chance for Brazil in the 47th minute. A penalty check for Brazil held the game up slightly in the next minute, which was ultimately called offside for Croatia's ball. 

Croatia's first corner of the second half came in the 49th minute. Kramaric was called offside. 

Juranovic intercepted the ball in the 53rd minute and carried the ball into Brazil's half. He played the ball to Perisic on the other side of the pitch who was just off finding Pasalic's head for the goal. 

Livakovic brilliantly saved Neymar's shot on goal in the 55th minute. 

Brail subbed off Raphina for Antony in the 55th minute.

Croatia was dangerous in the 58th minute and stopped a quick Brazil counterattack. 

Brazil subbed off Vinicius for Rodrygo in the 64th minute. 

Brozovic fouled Neymar in the 65th minute and needed to be careful about getting a second yellow. 

Livakovic - Croatia's lifesaver - saved another dangerous Brazil shot on goal. 

Casemiro was shown a yellow card for fouling Kramaric in the 68th minute. 

Kramaric was subbed off for Petkovic and Vlasic or Pasalic in the 72nd minute. 

Livakovic again saved a quick Brazil counterattack, which went out for a Brazil corner. 

By the 80th minute, Brazil had a few more scary chances, cleared by Livakovic and Croatia's defense. 

Richarlison was subbed off for Pedro in the 84th minute. 

Croatia's defense was brilliant in the block on Brazil's counterattacks. 

The ref added 4 minutes of extra time. 

Brazil had a corner in the 91st minute, cleared by the Croatia defense. 

The match ended 0-0 and went into extra time.  

Croatia, the kings of extra time at the World Cup - could they do it?

Brazil had a corner in their first attack, which went out for Croatia's ball. 

Croatia was closing them off in any attack, and Croatia was trying to keep possession. 

Croatia had a brilliant attack in the 102nd minute when Petkvovic held the ball up top before playing it to Brozovic. Brozovic was alone at the top of the box and shot over the goal. 

One minute of stoppage time was added to the first half. 

But Neymar found the back of the net. Livakovic committed too early to Neymar, who scored for 1-0 Brazil in the final seconds of the first half. 

Majer was subbed on for Kovacic to start the second half of extra time. 

Perisic played two brilliant balls into the box, which were too strong for Croatia's attack. 

Croatia had a corner in the 109th minute. Croatia subbed on Budimir for Sosa in the same minute. 

Orsic came on for Brozovic in the 114th minute. 

Brazil had a corner in the 114th minute and then a free kick outside the box seconds later. 

But this Croatia came out to play. And a stunning Orisic-Perisic play saw Croatia equalize in the 117th minute!!!!! Petkovic found the back of the net. It was 1-1 with a few minutes before penalties!!!

Majer had a brilliant shot on goal in the 119th minute. Two minutes of stoppage time were added. 

Croatia cleared Brazil's last dangerous free kick. Livakovic was absolutely brilliant again. What a keeper. 

And the match went into penalties. 

Vlasic was up first for Croatia and scored for 1-0 Croatia!

Livakovic saved Brazil's first penalty!!!!!! The king! 

Majer scored Croatia's next penalty for 2-0 Croatia!!!

Casemiro scored Brazil's next penalty - 2-1. 

Luka Modric scored Croatia's next pen for 3-1!!!! 

Pedro scored for 3-2. 

Orsic scored for 4-2 Croatia!!!!!

And Brazil missed their final penalty!!!!! Croatia is in the SEMIFINAL!!!!!

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.