This generation of Croatia consistently denies their own death. Neither football nor time have so far been able to with the children of the Balkan War. No matter the time, place and competition, Croatia survives. He did it until the edge of the 2018 World Cup final, until the semifinals in Qatar.. And he repeated it once again in Rotterdam, in the territory of the Netherlands, host and rival in the semifinals of the Final Four of the League of Nations. She seemed seriously injured after Malen's goal and a first half of evident Dutch superiority, but she was resurrected on the shoulders of Luka Modric, in that eternal and repetitive fight of the Real Madrid midfielder against longevity. At almost 38 years old, he caused the equalizer penalty, supported his country on the way to 1-2 in Pasalic and rose in extra time to assist and score in 2-3 and 2-4. Another performance for the legend of his country, who will seek the first title in his history against Spain or Italy on Sunday.
With Brozovic, Kovacic and Modric (in their 65th game of the season) on the pitch, possession was supposed to be more Croatian than Dutch, but Koeman's men, launched by several players who have finished the season in excellent form, took control. the game from the start. The coach relied on the backbone of Feyenoord, Eredivisie champion, with Bijlow in goal, Geertruida in defense and Wieffer in midfield, added a icing on the net with Van Dijk and Gakpo, gave wings on the left Aké, current Champions League champion with Manchester City, put Frenkie de Jong at the helm and his squad flowed.
The electricity of Malen and Simons, one of the best of the course in their leagues, and the physical and technical talent of Gakpo was all that Croatia missed. The Balkans have a world-class midfield, but their defense and striker lacked freshness in the first half. The Netherlands took advantage of it, more solid, more complete, more team at that moment.
He besieged the Croatian pitch, which only lived when Modric touched the ball and Perisic and Kramaric were able to run, and found a prize after half an hour. After an excellent combination between Gakpo, Aké and Simons, the ball went to Wieffer, who with space inside the box assisted Malen. The Dortmund striker controlled calmly and fired across before Livakovic, who couldn't do anything.
Modric takes control of the game
After the break, Modric forced Koeman's men to take a step back. More tired, the Dutch lost possession and with it the game. Luka caused a 'silly' penalty from Gakpo after a loss by the Liverpool player in his own area and Kramaric equalized from eleven meters. The tables finished sinking the Netherlands and raised the spirits of a Croatia that never leaves the ring.
In the 72nd minute, Ivanusec thought about a cross and put it at the feet of Pasalic so that the Atalanta midfielder finished off with his left foot, first and free of mark, over the local goal. Too much Dutch passivity, too much Croatian hunger.
The Balkans, superior in intensity during the final stretch, already smelled the final when the Netherlands expelled its last breath. It seemed that the tournament was saying goodbye to them, but on the horn, with the whole country turned towards Livakovic's goal, Noa Lang found a loose ball inside the area after a corner kick and forced extra time. Delirium in Rotterdam.
The extra half hour summed up the game: Croatia on the shoulders of Modric. The midfielder started the play for Petkovic's great goal, a hero in the World Cup in that extra time against Brazil and a hero again against the Netherlands. After a pass from Modric, the Dinamo Zagreb striker invented a rocket from outside the area to surprise Bijlow and make it 2-3.
The match went into madness, with the locals overturned, missing clear chances against Livakovic and the Croats waiting for the counter to sentence. Lang and Bergwjin had it on one side, who missed the tie, and Petkovic wanted it again, who cut Malacia inside the area and fell down. Still on oxygen, Modric caught the ball and scored the 2-4 that crowned his night and that of his country. On Sunday, this eternal generation will seek glory.