Do You Remember How You Felt Then? Croatia Won World Silver on This Day!

Eight years ago today, on July 15, 2018, the Croatian national football team played the biggest match in its history: the World Cup final in Russia. Although Croatia lost to France 4-2, the events that followed, Luka Modrić's awards and the celebrations across Croatia, continue to inspire immense admiration for the team.

However, the memory of the Moscow final is also marked by controversial refereeing decisions that seemed to disadvantage Croatia. Former coach Zlatko Dalić, in his autobiography "Russia of Our Dreams," recounts specific moments that he felt were pivotal and unfair. He describes the opening goal by France, a free-kick that led to an own goal by Croatia, as irregular, noting that the foul might not have occurred and that there was a potential offside.

Dalić expresses particular disappointment with a penalty awarded to France in the 38th minute, which gave them a 2-1 lead. He details how a corner kick was awarded to France despite the ball appearing to go out for a goal kick. The decision to award the penalty after a VAR review, which he felt was questionable, deeply frustrated him. "If you are not sure, you should not decide the world champion in such a way, with a dubious penalty," Dalić wrote, emphasizing the high stakes of a World Cup final.

The article highlights these contentious moments, suggesting they cast a shadow over the otherwise celebrated achievement. While the team's spirit and the national pride they generated are undeniable, the recollections of perceived injustices during the final remain a significant part of the narrative for some.