Dalić: I have absolutely nothing to criticize the guys for; they left their hearts on the field

Croatia's World Cup journey ended in the Round of 16 after a narrow defeat to Portugal. Despite the elimination, national team coach Zlatko Dalić was visibly emotional but proud of his players' performance. He stated that he had no complaints about their effort, emphasizing that they 'left their hearts on the field.'

Dalić lamented the missed opportunities in the second half, where Croatia dominated possession and created chances. "The ball just didn't want to go in," he said, noting that three goals were disallowed for offside. He acknowledged Portugal's victory but felt Croatia was their equal and perhaps did not deserve to be eliminated.

The match was a tough contest, with Croatia controlling the rhythm for periods. However, football's inherent unpredictability meant that despite their efforts and perceived parity with their opponents, they could not secure the win. The coach's post-match comments reflected a mix of disappointment and pride in his team's commitment.