Modrić criticism is misplaced, even shameful, after England loss

Croatia's national football team began their World Cup campaign with a 2-4 defeat against England, a result that, while painful for fans, was largely anticipated. The article points to England's formidable player pool, noting that stars like Palmer and Foden were not even selected, underscoring the depth of their squad. The Premier League's status as arguably the world's strongest league further bolsters England's favoritism in such matchups.

Despite the loss, the Croatian team displayed moments of brilliance, scoring two impressive goals and participating in a match widely hailed by experts and fans as one of the tournament's most exciting so far. Coach Dalić acknowledged areas for improvement, but the team has time to regroup before facing Panama and Ghana, crucial matches for advancing to the next round.

A significant portion of the commentary addresses criticism directed at Luka Modrić, Croatia's legendary captain. The article argues that singling out Modrić for a poor performance is misplaced and even "shameful," considering his immense contributions over the years. While acknowledging that the 30-something midfielder may no longer be at his absolute peak, it highlights his outstanding season in Italy's Serie A, where he was statistically one of the league's top players.

The author contends that Modrić's status should not be diminished by one off-game, especially given his character and determination. It is expected that he will use this setback as motivation to prove his enduring quality. The piece suggests that while Croatia is realistically aiming for second place in their group, anything beyond that would be a bonus, and the team's overall potential remains strong.